Sydney to Hobart: Master Lock Comanche confirms favouritism with LawConnect in Big Boat race

In the highly superstitious world of sailing an omen or two is always welcome close to the start of a Sydney to Hobart and that's what one lucky skipper got in the Big Boat race.

Master Lock Comanche competing in the 2024 SOLAS Big Boat Challenge. Picture: Saeed Khan/AFP.

In the highly superstitious world of sailing an omen or two is always welcome close to the start of a Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

On a stunning and windy Sydney Harbour just 16 days out from the start of the Sydney to Hobart, Master Lock Comanche got a couple before co-skipper Matt Allen declared the 100-footer ready to go for the Sydney to Hobart.

Just a year ago its supermaxi rival LawConnect won the annual SOLAS Big Boat challenge on Sydney Harbour and went on to claim line honours in the race to Hobart.

In outstanding sailing conditions on Tuesday, Allen and co-skipper James Mayo navigated Comanche to a hard-fought victory in the Big Boat race held annually to raise money for the Safety at Life at Sea trust which was established in the wake of the 1998 Sydney to Hobart where six lives were lost in horrendous conditions.

Hitting speeds in excess of 28 knots (50km/h) at different stages, the former line honours winner and current race record holder claimed boasting rights over Christian Beck’s LawConnect with the win,

View from aboard LawConnect as she chases Comanche. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

“We are absolutely thrilled, the crew was just so pumped and then to get such an exciting race with great breeze on a beautiful harbour, wow,’’ Allen said.

“Far out, we were just ripping it up out there with the speed. It was just so exciting.’’

The victory also followed on from Comanche’s line honours win over LawConnect in the Cabbage Tree Island race where she also took out the overall victory.

Master Lock Comanche seen from on board the Supermaxi LawConnect, during the SOLAS Big Boat Challenge in Sydney Harbour, today. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

The hot form of the famous ocean marauder is a good sign for the 79th Sydney to Hobart where the other 100-footers will also be on the start line in LawConnect, Wild Thing 100 and Maritimo.

Allen is a three-time overall champion in the Sydney to Hobart and after a sojourn from the race has returned as co-skipper with world Etchells champion Mayo for a crack at the line honours.

“We are very happy with the preparations and that’s pretty much it for Comanche now in terms of racing,’’ Allen said.

“We have had no issues and the crew did a great job. And we got to showcase the sport in the best possible way.’’

A fleet of around 100 yachts will be on the Boxing Day startline on Sydney Harbour.

Included in the fleet are yachts ranging from the 100-footers right down to the 30-foot minnows.

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