Celestial V70 has toasted overall victory in the Sydney-to-Hobart yacht race

Skipper Sam Haynes and his crewmates have been presented with the Tattersall Cup as provisional winners of the handicap competition.

The 79th edition of the 628-nautical mile event endured tragedy on the opening night when two competitors died at sea in rough weather.

Haynes described conditions as "nuclear" across Bass Strait in his second triumph.