Master Lock Comanche and LawConnect are locked in a fierce battle for line honours in the prestigious Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. As of 5:30 PM on Saturday, Comanche holds a narrow lead of four nautical miles over its rival, LawConnect, in the Bass Strait. The competition is heating up as LawConnect aims for a third consecutive first-past-the-post victory.
The intense rivalry between these supermaxi yachts is not the only drama unfolding on the high seas. The retirement list has grown, with URM Group, a favourite for the handicap crown, forced to withdraw due to hull damage at approximately 4:30 PM. This marks the second consecutive year the 72-footer has retired, following a dismasting incident in 2024.
Challenges on the High Seas
URM Group reported that all crew members are safe, and the vessel is making its way to the New South Wales south coast for repairs. By Saturday evening, the overall retirement tally had reached 15, including the supermaxi Wild Thing 100, which encountered rigging issues off the NSW south coast earlier in the day.
Crews have been battling harsh upwind conditions, leading to seasickness among many participants. However, these challenging conditions are expected to ease by Sunday, offering some relief to the remaining fleet.
Comanche’s Redemption Quest
Andy Green, navigator for Comanche, expressed optimism about the changing weather conditions. “We’re expecting winds to lighten as we approach Tasmania,” he said. Comanche is seeking redemption after being forced to retire with mainsail damage in 2024.
LawConnect, skippered by Christian Beck, has faced its own set of challenges, including a broken mainsheet and halyard on the first night. Despite these setbacks, Beck remains determined. “It’s been a tough night, we had a lot of breakages, but we’re still in the race,” he told AAP.
“We’re keeping a good close eye on them and a nice cover on any radical strategy they might do to try and force a decision on us,” said Andy Green.
Technical Setbacks and Strategic Moves
LawConnect crew member Chris Nicholson described the early stages of the race as “a bit of a horror show” after the yacht lost its wind instruments. “We were looking forward to daylight so we could see the sails again,” he added.
An afternoon finish on Sunday is anticipated for the line-honours contenders, significantly later than last year’s 2:35 AM arrival and the race record set in 2017.
Meanwhile, other competitors like SHK Scallywag and American 88-footer Lucky are trailing in second and third positions, with NSW’s Palm Beach XI following closely in a fleet that has dwindled to 113 boats.
Wild Thing’s Disappointment
Wild Thing’s withdrawal was a significant blow for veteran skipper Grant Wharington, who had overseen major upgrades to the yacht this year. Despite a smaller rig in the previous race, Wild Thing finished third on line honours in 2024. This year, however, technical issues proved insurmountable.
“Very disappointing, this morning about 3:30 we were trying to repair a problem with the rudder,” Wharington said. “We got that fixed but we just weren’t happy with the set-up. We kept breaking runner tails and had some other rigging issues as well.”
Wharington reflected on the race’s challenges, noting, “It’s a tough race, isn’t it? It’s something that pushes the limits of technology and people’s endurance. Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be our year.”
Weather and the Path Ahead
The fleet has been navigating upwind in winds of 25 knots and seas of 2-3 meters. Jo Clarke, a crew member aboard cruiser Rum Bucket, described the conditions as “really uncomfortable and tough on the body with confused big seas,” noting that many crew members suffered from seasickness.
Several other yachts, including Troubadour and Roaring Forty, retired due to crew seasickness, while Moneypenny withdrew after losing a life raft and failing to meet safety requirements.
The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts a shift in wind direction on Sunday, potentially aiding the fleet as they sail down Tasmania’s east coast. As the race continues, all eyes remain on Comanche and LawConnect as they vie for the coveted line honours in one of the world’s most challenging yacht races.
