For the crew of Tasmanian yacht Alive, dreams really do come true.
The 66-footer claimed Sydney to Hobart handicap honours on Sunday morning, becoming the first boat from the island state to do so in nearly 40 years.
"I'm still trying to get my head around it," skipper and Apple Isle native Duncan Hine said after being presented with the Tattersall Cup in Hobart.
Alive was fifth past the post on Friday behind the leading pack of four supermaxis headed by Wild Oats XI, who survived a post-race protest to win its ninth line honours.
Alive had a nervy wait over two days before overall standings were confirmed.
"It was part of our ambition to finish in our home port in one of the world's toughest and greatest races," Hine said.
"And to show that you can dream."
Alive had sailed neck and neck with the all-female crewed and Wild Oats X, which was second overall.
The last Tasmanian boat to claim handicap honours was Screw Loose in 1979.
Alive, formerly known as Black Jack, was bought by Tasmanian businessman Phillip Turner in 2014 with a goal of winning the race.
"It's great for Tasmania," he said.
Last year's handicap winner Ichi Ban, aiming to become the first boat to claim back-to-back trophies in 54 years, finished fifth.
They had a handicap lead but it crumbled on Friday night in calm conditions.
"Around Tasman Island we had time on the rest of the fleet and a reasonable margin, but we always knew that was going to be a bit of a challenge going into the last bit of the race," skipper Matt Allen said.
"You lose a lot of time when you get that shut down."
As at 6pm (AEDT) on Sunday, just four yachts were still at sea with the last expected to dock in Hobart in the early hours of New Year's Eve.
2018 SYDNEY TO HOBART HANDICAP HONOURS
1. Alive (Tas)
2. Wild Oats X (NSW)
3. Voodoo (Vic)
4. Winning Appliances (NSW)
5. Ichi Ban (NSW)
6. Prospector (USA)
7. Privateer (USA)
8. Black Jack (Qld)
9. Grace O'Malley (NSW)
10. Hollywood Boulevard (NSW).
