Supermaxi SHK Scallywag, of Hong Kong, skippered by David Witt, crossed the finish line outside St David’s Lighthouse just before 10pm yesterday, taking line honours in the Antigua Bermuda Race in an elapsed time of three days 8 hours 54 minutes and 21 seconds.

Les Crane, the Antigua Bermuda Race chairman, gave Scallywag a warm welcome, motoring out to meet the boat before their finish, and was on hand to provide the Goslings Dark ‘n Stormys after the 17 crew cleared customs.

Scallywag was outside the record set last year by Stephen Murray Jr’s Volvo 70 Warrior (two days, 18 hours, 32 minutes and 48 seconds). SHK Scallywag’s Australian skipper David Witt spoke about the 935-mile race dockside at the Custom House, shortly after finishing.

“The boys did great, but we are a bit disappointed we didn’t get the record as the weather did not play our way,” Witt said.

“We sailed the boat really well and the boat is getting more reliable, and hopefully getting a bit quicker. We are looking forward to the rest of the year, before we have a crack at the Sydney Hobart Race.

“This race was a good length for a 100 footer. It gives us a chance to really stretch our legs, as most of the other races are 600 mile sprints.

“This has been a great lead up to the Transatlantic Race. It has been 25 years since I have been to Bermuda and I just found out that Ian Williams won the Gold Cup yesterday, so I might catch up with him at the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club tomorrow for a Dark ‘n Stormy. I seem to remember having a few when I was here last time.”

Several yachts are expected to finish the Antigua Bermuda Race over the next 24 hours. At 9am today, Afansay Isaev Maxi Weddell, of Russia, was 223 miles from the finish line. Gilles Barbot’s Volvo 60 Esprit de Corps IV, of Canada, are just 14 miles astern of Weddell, 237 miles from the finish.

In the race for the win after IRC time correction, Lombard 46 Pata Negra, of Britain, skippered by Andy Liss is estimated to be leading by eight hours, with 261 miles to go. Three yachts are having a very close battle for the podium after time correction. Kevin McLaughlin’s x-55 Rye, of the United States, is 300 miles from the finish and estimated to be second under IRC. Just one hour behind Rye on corrected time is Peter Grueterich’s Xp-44 Xpatriate, of the US, which has 323 mile to go. Morgan Watson and Meg Reilly’s Pogo 12.50 Hermes II, of Canadam is fourth after IRC time correction, with 304 miles to go and very much challenging for the podium.

In CSA Cruising, Carlo Falcone’s 1938 79ft Alfred Mylne ketch Mariella, of Antigua, continues to impress. Mariella is estimated to be leading after time correction by five hours from Pata Negra and Hermes II.