Sydney to Hobart yacht race: Forecast favouring a special farewell for Andoo Comanche

There’s cautious excitement in Andoo Comanche crew there may be a special send off for the record breaker in potentially her final race in Australia thanks to a twist in the weather.

Andoo Comanche’s crew is diving feet first into the challenge ahead. Picture: Andrea Francolini

There’s cautious excitement within the Sydney-based Andoo Comanche crew there may be a special send off for the record breaking yacht in potentially her final race in Australia thanks to a twist in the weather for the Sydney to Hobart.

A strange long range forecast meteorologist Roger Badham describes as a “crazy cat”, has got a little weirder with the potential for a race record creeping back onto the table.

Andoo Comanche’s sailing master Iain Murray spotted the movement to a faster race forecast this week as major weather models started to align more but by Thursday only one weather model was supporting the super fast race.

Murray now believes another two days is needed before the forecast can be trusted.

“There still thinking there is a change for a fast race but it is a long shot,’’ said meteorologist Roger Badham.

The Andoo Comanche yacht racing in the Big Boat challenge. Picture: Andrea Francolini

“If that one model is right it would be the 100s, 70s, 60s and 50s who all get home really fast.’’’

Badham is favouring a mix of two of models which has a fast race under two days for the leaders, but not a record breaker.

However, should the ultra-fast forecast of running and reaching conditions eventuate it would put Andoo Comanche back in the race not just for a line honours win - but also a new race record.

Even the treble - with an overall win thrown in - might not be beyond the champion yacht built to break records, win races and shake up work sailing.

The current race record - held by the same yacht but under a different owner - was set back in 2017 and stands at one day nine hours 15 minutes.

It’s a good record, one many believed would be hard to beat.

Andoo Comanche was leased by skipper John Winning or two seasons with the yacht set to head to Europe post this Sydney to Hobart.

The fleet now stands at 103 for the Boxing Day start on Sydney Harbour with Comanche one of four supermaxis on the line along with Scallywag, InfoTrack and Wild Things 100.