Min River has been declared the Overall winner of the 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. The result makes owner Jiang Lin the first woman to win the iconic event. She and co‑skipper Alexis Loison also became the first double‑handed crew to claim the Tattersall Cup.
The victory followed a late race battle with BNC ‑ my::Net/LEON and other top competitors. Min River was second overall on corrected time before a protest decision.
A rule infringement protest against BNC ‑ my::Net/LEON by the Race Committee was upheld by the International Jury. The penalty of one hour and five minutes dropped BNC to second place. Min River was elevated to the Overall win.
Sixty‑year‑old Jiang Lin said she had not expected to win. “Not in my wildest dreams did I think this would come true,” she said. “The best would be winning our division.” Min River also claimed their division victory.
Min River on her way to Overall victory in the 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart, becoming the first double-handed and female-owned yacht to win the prestigious Tattersall Cup. Photo: RSHYR
“It hasn’t sunk in yet,” Lin added. “Maybe I wake up and say, ‘oh that was a dream.’”
Loison said their strategy had been to push hard. “We had a lot of sail changes,” he said. “Many times.”
Loison added: “We forgot to sleep. It’s crazy to win, we are proud of ourselves.”
Asked about displacing BNC ‑ my::Net/LEON, Lin said: “No. It is what it is – we are still the winners.”
The pair plan to celebrate with other double‑handed crews at a group dinner.
Loison said parts of the race had been difficult. “Very hard first two days and last night,” he said. “And a lot of good memories at the end.”
Jiang Lin began sailing later in life and was named ‘Most Improved Keelboat Sailor’ by Balmain Sailing Club in 2015. She often chooses experienced co‑skippers for international campaigns.
Asked if Loison was already signed for 2026, Lin laughed: “Umm, maybe.”
