UPDATE: In a thrilling finish, Master Lock Comanche has claimed line honours at the Sydney to Hobart yacht race for the fifth time, crossing the finish line near Constitution Dock in Hobart shortly after 6 PM on December 31, 2023. The supermaxi completed the race in a time of two days, five hours, three minutes, and 36 seconds, falling short of the record set in 2017.
This year’s race was marked by intense competition, with SHK Scallywag 100 and defending champion LawConnect posing significant challenges. Comanche briefly lost its lead earlier in the day but rallied with a swift passage up the Derwent River to secure its fifth title in the 80th edition of this iconic race, marking its first win since 2022.
The victory is a notable comeback for skippers Matt Allen and James Mayo, who faced disappointment in the 2024 race when they were forced to retire due to a damaged mainsail.
Around 7 PM, LawConnect crossed the line in second place, having dealt with technical issues including a broken mainsheet and halyard. Despite these setbacks, the team managed to stay competitive throughout the race. Scallywag, which briefly took the lead earlier in the day, secured third place, demonstrating its resilience.
On a somber note, as of Sunday afternoon, 33 yachts have retired from the starting fleet of 128 yachts. Two crew members suffered broken ribs—one each from Kraken 42S and Mistral—prompting their vessels to return to port.
The fleet faced rough conditions overnight on Friday but avoided the dangerous storms that plagued last year’s race. Early in the competition, participants paid tribute to the victims of the December 14 terror attack near Bondi Beach as they sailed past the area.
As the race concludes, the record time set by LDV Comanche—one day, nine hours, 15 minutes, and 24 seconds—remains unbroken, standing since 2017. The possibility of breaking this record depends heavily on favorable downwind conditions.
As the world tunes in to the results of the Sydney to Hobart race, fans and sailors alike are already looking forward to next year’s challenges and triumphs. Stay tuned for more updates as the post-race analysis unfolds and the sailing community reflects on this year’s remarkable events.
