Bob Miller's 145ft ketch was racing unofficially alongside the Sydney-Hobart fleet

The superyacht Mari-Cha III this morning completed the fastest ever passage from Sydney to Hobart, sailing the 630 nautical mile course in 1 day 18 hours 27 minutes 10 seconds, but she is not eligible for the historic line honours trophy for the race.

Her time is unofficial as she sailed by invitation as a demonstration yacht for next year’s Superyacht Division of the Telstra Sydney to Hobart Race.

Mari-Cha III made a magnificent sight as she reached up the Derwent River, sailing the course at an average speed of more than 15.5 knots.

The official line honours winner still looks to smash the official record for the course. The Danish/Swedish yacht Nokia is due to finish just before nine o’clock this morning cutting more than 18 hours off the official record for the ocean classic.