Supermaxi Master Lock Comanche claims line honours in the 80th Sydney-Hobart race, ending LawConnect’s bid for a third consecutive victory.
SYDNEY: Master Lock Comanche took line honours in the 80th Sydney-Hobart ocean race on Sunday, ending LawConnect’s bid for a third straight title.
It was the fifth line honours victory in the 628-nautical-mile classic for the 100-foot supermaxi. The yacht crossed the finish line on the River Derwent in Hobart in two days, five hours, three minutes and 36 seconds.
Comanche holds the race record set in its 2017 victory. It also won line honours in 2015, 2019 and 2022.
Skippers Matt Allen and James Mayo navigated a tricky final day as the wind changed to a light northeasterly. The crew had earlier battled strong southerly winds over the first 24 hours after leaving Sydney Harbour.
SHK Scallywag 100 overtook Comanche and LawConnect early on Sunday to lead for several hours down Tasmania’s east coast. The three yachts were within one mile of each other.
“We had a great lead during the race,” Comanche skipper Allen said. “It evaporated this morning, and we had to effectively restart.”
LawConnect, seeking a third-straight title under skipper Christian Beck, suffered a tear to its sail during the second night. Beck said he considered retiring because significant repairs were needed.
Comanche soared clear as the lead trio neared Tasman Island, building a lead of nine nautical miles as they moved up the Derwent River.
“We wanted to really defend from inside the coast, closer to the coastline,” Allen said of Comanche’s tactics.
Allen and Mayo had to retire during the 2024 race due to significant mainsail damage. This year’s race saw early southerly winds battering the 128-strong fleet and causing heavy seas.
Mayo said two of his crew were affected, one before they’d even left Sydney Harbour. “Three minutes after the start we lost the bowman, he suffered a pretty bad injury, maybe some broken ribs,” Mayo said.
LawConnect came in second, 47 minutes back from Comanche, while Scallywag was a further 24 minutes behind in third. More than a quarter of the field had retired from the race by Sunday morning.
The overall winner of the race, taking into account handicap ratings, will be decided in the coming days.
