WINNING crews in the Henri Lloyd Hobart to Whitsundays Race have been publicly acknowledged at a special prize giving event.

Podium winning teams LMAX Exchange, GREAT Britain and Garmin were officially presented with their prizes at new Abell Point Yacht Club HQ "Lure", as crew and supporters enjoyed food, plentiful supplies of rum, and a stunning fireworks display, supplied by local restaurateur Kevin Collins of the Rum Bar and Fish D'Vine. 

On accepting the winner's pennant from Whitsunday Mayor Jennifer Whitney, LMAX Exchange Skipper Olivier Cardin, who has now won four of the six races, told the crowd: "It is always a great feeling to be here celebrating with my team on the top of the podium".

"This win was particularly tough for us so huge congratulations also go to GREAT Britainfrom our whole team for pushing us right to the very last minute," he said. 

Cardin paid particular tribute to the staff and officials at Abell Point Marina "and to everyone who has shown such interest and support everywhere we go in Airlie Beach".

"We have all felt incredibly welcome here and have will leave with very fond memories of a happy stopover," he said. 

Paul and Martin Strzelecki, joint CEOs of Henri Lloyd sent congratulations to LMAX Exchange, GREAT Britain, Garmin and all the crews who competed in the Henri Lloyd Hobart to Whitsundays Race and wished them a safe passage for the rest of the Clipper Race.

The Stormhoek Social Spirit Award for this race was no surprise.

Following its diversion to a distressed vessel which meant sacrificing race performance to provide assistance, the award was presented to Mission Performance, by Abell Point Marina owner Paul Darrouzet. 

Congratulating the team, Stormhoek Wines' Sue Fontannaz said the idea of the award was to recognise this race was not always about being the fastest to the finish.

"We wanted to recognise those teams that stick together in the face of adversity, the ones that value team spirit and encourage others to achieve more," she said.

"Mission Performance gave up its position to help someone in distress, and that is what we at Stormhoek believe is true spirit. The power to change your world, or someone else's. Congratulations to Stormhoek Social Spirit Award winner Mission Performance. We celebrate your selfless reaction." 

As Skipper Greg Miller and his team accepted the award, Race Director Justin Taylor read out the following proud message from Mission Performance founder and former Royal Marine Commando Rob Lewis who told his team.

"Mission Performance Warriors, we are proud of your self-less act of seamanship and humanity. When you have clear values and a strong culture decisions like these are easy to make. One of the Commando principles and probably one of the most important is about being selfless," the statement said.

"You have demonstrated that winning defined by position alone is only one measure of performance - a far deeper and more important one is the quality of character - you are warriors one and all and all at Mission Performance HQ wish you best speed to Da Nang, Vietnam."

After the prizes were awarded the party really got started and crew, including over 60 new joiners, took the chance to let their hair down together ahead of the South East Asia leg. 

Race 7 starts on Monday, January 17.