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3d ago

Comanche Claims Sydney to Hobart Line Honours After Fierce Three-Way Duel

Rough upwind conditions drove an unusual wave of safety-driven retirements across the fleet.

Master Lock Comanche and LawConnect race out of Sydney Harbour during the start of the 80th edition of The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race on Boxing Day in Sydney, Australia December 26, 2025. REUTERS/Hollie Adams
Master Lock Comanche won the Sydeny-Hobart race on Sunday
Moneypenny was forced to retire after losing a life raft overboard.
Master Lock Comanche continues to lead the 2025 Sydney Hobart, with a Sunday evening finish expected (PR Image/Supplied by Andrea Francolini, via Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race)

Overview

  • Master Lock Comanche finished first in two days, five hours, three minutes and 36 seconds, reaching the River Derwent about 10 nautical miles ahead of LawConnect.
  • SHK Scallywag 100 briefly seized the lead on Sunday before Comanche pulled clear near Tasman Island and up the Derwent to secure its fifth line-honours win.
  • Defending champion LawConnect sustained extensive gear issues, including torn sail fabric, a broken mainsheet and halyard, and non‑functioning wind instruments, with the skipper saying he considered retiring.
  • About a quarter of the 128 starters withdrew, with roughly 31 to 33 retirements reported due to damage or safety concerns including lost life rafts, rigging failures and a fishing‑net entanglement.
  • Notable withdrawals included Wild Thing 100 (rigging), Moneypenny and Ragtime after losing life rafts, URM Group with hull damage, and Inukshuk after net entanglement, while two crews reported broken ribs as conditions eased for the remaining boats.