Sydney to Hobart yacht race: Master Lock Comanche and Celeste at opposite ends of race

One is a pugnacious and hi tech racing machine built to maul and destroy records. The other an old beauty who “hugs” her crew. These opposites are part of the magic of the Sydney to Hobart.

Super maxi Master Lock Comanche in training. Picture: Andrea Francolini

One is a beauty is more than half a century old and still equipped with her original fittings.

The other is just 10 years of age and a multimillion dollar ocean maturing beast.

But in the Sydney to Hobart, this beauty and beast could both have their time in the sun.

Celeste and Master Lock Comanche are worlds apart in design and ambition but loved by their skippers in equal measure for very different reasons.

Master Lock Comanche barges her way though the waves, elbows out, aggressive and pushy.

This big bottomed brawler bucks, bangs and bullies her way through the ocean in the search of new speed targets, records and trophies.

She is loud and proud, a pugnacious racing machine with a menacing paint job and cutting edge technology regularly updated.

“She is a lot of fun,’’ said co skipper Matt Allen, a four time overall winner of the race.,

“The boat just has a very consistent fast speed and her power is just incredible.

“It is designed to go through the water quickly. Designed to not just accelerate but stay at hight speed.

Racing aboard Master Lock Comanche is physical - and very wet. Picture: Andrea Francolini

“Even the movement of the boat is different. It flexes a bit differently.

“And the engine is always running (to drive winches) so it is very, very noisy below.

“It is a bit of a beast but controllable.’’

At the opposite end of the spectrum Celeste is a genteel lady, rarely working up a sweat as she trundles along - normally around four to five times slower than Comanche — and crewed by just two sailors in the Sydney to Hobart.

Sailors Saskia Groen-In’t-Woud (right) and Maude Demure aboard their boat. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

She is elegant, pretty, steady and embraces her two crew with gentleness.

Celeste’s owner Saskia Groen-in’t-Woud, racing with co skipper Maude Demazure, describes her relationship with her beauty as a love story which started when she was seven and saw a Swan designed yacht for the first time.

“She is a beautiful thing. It is an emotion things to be on her,’’ said Groen-in’t-Woud born the same day 51 years ago that the build on Celeste began.

“A lot of the time we sail old school - we used a sextant coming down to Sydney.

“We will never be at the front in this race but we will be enjoying ourselves.

“Being on her is like being in a warm hug.’’

No so on the bolshie Master Lock Comanche.

Matt Allen on the helm.

A crewmman on Master Lock Comanche.

Her skippers Allen and James Mayo are thrilled to be on their beast of a machine but know they will be throw around and challenged at every opportunity in the Sydney Hobart as they attempt to squeeze every iota of power and might from the high tech super maxi which holds the current race record of just over one day and nine hours and has aspirations of setting a new mark against this year.

Aboard the supermaxi Master Lock Comanche 4/12/2024 Ph. Andrea Francolini

Allen and Mayo’s goal is simple - go like the clappers and win the line honours race, potentially claiming a new race record along the way after hitting speeds in excess of 40 knots.

The goal of Celeste’s two-handed crew is to sail the best they can without others around and potentially coax new top speed of 12 knots out of her.

The disparity of size, in age and even the goals of the two crews is part of the allure of a Sydney to Hobart.

It’s is one of the rare sporting events where competitor of all ages, backgrounds and levels of experience can compete in the same arena - and against each other if racing in the same division.

“The Sydney to Hobart is different for everyone,’’ Saskia Groen-in’t-Woud said.

“That’s why we love it.’’

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