LawConnect lead Sydney-to-Hobart race after Master Lock Comanche retire

SYDNEY – Favourite Master Lock Comanche were forced to retire from the 79th running of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race which began on Dec 26, leaving LawConnect as the new race leader in the South Pacific.

LawConnect, who won line honours in 2023 in a thrilling finish by just 51 seconds, were first past the turning mark after cannon sounded at 1pm (10am in Singapore).

However, they soon ran into some sail issues, giving race record holder Master Lock Comanche an unexpected advantage.

But having set record-breaking pace, Master Lock Comanche retired in the early hours of Dec 27 due to main-sail damage about 63 nautical miles from Green Cape – one among nine retirements from the race from the initial fleet of 104.

Wild Thing 100, another supermaxi, almost capsized after making a late tack to avoid the smaller Celestial V70.

Covering approximately 630 nautical miles (1,163km) of the Tasman Sea and notoriously treacherous Bass Strait, the gruelling annual race is Australia’s premier yachting event.

Race crews face gales, storms and big waves as they sail south and then tackle the notorious Bass Strait towards the Tasmanian state capital Hobart.

Weather is a critical factor in the event, first held in 1945. Six men died, five boats sank and 55 sailors were rescued in 1998, when a deep depression exploded over the Bass Strait.

“We are seeing strong wind warnings developing through the afternoon today and getting up to gale, so about 35 knots,” meteorologist Gabrielle Woodhouse said in the last briefing hours before the start.

A strong south-westerly change would move across the Bass Strait early on the morning of Dec 27, potentially bringing showers, lightning, thunder, and waves of up to four metres.

In a cruel twist, Matt Allen, the co-skipper of Comanche, had been prepared for rough conditions.

“It’s going to be a fast and furious first night out there on our way down to Hobart. It’s probably going to be boat-breaking sort of conditions.”

Fellow skipper James Mayo had said strategy would be key for Comanche, who surged over the finish line in one day, 9 hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds to set a new mark in 2017.

“It’s about keeping the boat in one piece, you know there’s going to be some good rides,” he said.

LawConnect, too, expected a bumpy trip. “These conditions are probably the worst forecast I’ve ever had to go through. The odds of boat damage are obviously very high,” skipper Christian Beck said ahead of the race.

The fourth supermaxi entered were Maritimo.

Alive, the 2023 overall winner of the Tattersall Cup, which takes into account boat size and other factors, became the first casualty this time around, retiring at port, reportedly due to engine issues.

Philosopher, Ciao Bella and Transcendence Rudy Project (DH) also retired at port, while Calibre 12, URM Group, Wild Oats and former overall winner Centennial 7 (formerly Celestial) retired at sea. REUTERS, AFP