{"id":373405,"date":"2025-12-26T17:26:14","date_gmt":"2025-12-26T17:26:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/373405\/"},"modified":"2025-12-26T17:26:14","modified_gmt":"2025-12-26T17:26:14","slug":"rolex-sydney-hobart-underway-in-strong-southerlies-and-nasty-seas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/373405\/","title":{"rendered":"Rolex Sydney Hobart underway in strong southerlies and nasty seas"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Rolex Sydney Hobart underway in strong southerlies and nasty seas
\n by Steve Dettre \/ RSHYR media 26 Dec 00:03 PST
\n 26 December 2025<\/p>\n


\n Law Connect punches into a big one – 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race \u00a9 Wendell Teodoro<\/p>\n

\"Henri-Lloyd
<\/a>\"Festival
<\/a><\/p>\n


\nOut on a fast and unsettled Tasman Sea, Christian Beck sounded both surprised and quietly satisfied as his 100-footer LawConnect clung to a narrow early advantage in the opening hours of the 2025 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. \n<\/p>\n


\nSpeaking from on board to the media centre at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia while the boat surged south at speed, Beck dismissed pre-race chatter that a $250,000 bet had been placed on LawConnect being first out of Sydney Heads. \n<\/p>\n


\n\u201cWe thought that was crazy,\u201d Beck said, acknowledging the story had circulated onshore, \u201cbut as it turned out, it wasn\u2019t so crazy \u2014 though it was just a rumour.\u201d \n<\/p>\n


\nAccording to the race tracker, LawConnect remained marginally in front as the heavyweight favourites closed in behind. Beck admitted the position had taken him by surprise, particularly given the conditions off the start. \n<\/p>\n


\n\u201cVery surprised, because it was a downwind start and Master Lock Comanche is faster downwind. If it had been upwind, then we are better, \u201d he said. \n<\/p>\n


\n\u201cWe saw that \u2014 Master Lock Comanche, Palm Beach XI and Lucky were close behind us. It all comes down to crew. The crew work has been fantastic.\u201d \n<\/p>\n


\nIn a moment that underlined how small margins can matter even on 100 footers, Beck revealed LawConnect\u2019s spinnaker was set seconds ahead of its main rival. \n<\/p>\n


\n\u201cOur spinnaker was deployed about 20 seconds before Comanche\u2019s,\u201d he said. \n<\/p>\n


\nConditions at sea were already demanding, with boats powering through short, rough waves at double-digit speeds. \n<\/p>\n


\n\u201cPretty fast, pretty rough \u2014 we\u2019re doing about 13 knots,\u201d Beck said, adding that Master Lock Comanche remained clearly in sight in \u201creasonably rough seas.\u201d \n<\/p>\n


\nIn fact, just 6 nautical miles separated the top six yachts, with LawConnect leading Master Lock Comanche, Palm Beach XI, SHK Scallywag 100, the 88ft Lucky and Wild Thing 100. \n<\/p>\n


\nThe early intensity of the race was underscored by the first retirements of the fleet, as mechanical reliability began to shape the contest as much as raw speed. \n<\/p>\n


\nQueensland Welbourn 50, Hutchies Yeah Baby, was forced to withdraw from the 80th edition of the race after suffering a headstay foil issue, compromising its ability to safely manage headsails. \n<\/p>\n


\nVictorian M.A.T. 1245, White Noise, also retired due to rigging problems, while the South Australian Northshore 38, Inukshuk, exited the race with rudder issues \u2014 a critical failure in the heavy, fast-building seas. An earlier \u2018Did Not Start\u2019 was registered when Yendys suffered a broken backstay before the race even started. \n<\/p>\n


\nSuch early exits served as a reminder that the Sydney Hobart\u2019s reputation is built, not just on glamour and rivalry at the front of the fleet, but on the relentless stress it places on boats and crews alike. \n<\/p>\n


\nAmid the intensity, Beck also offered a lighter update on one of his high-profile crew members, Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe, who is competing in his first Hobart. \n<\/p>\n


\n\u201cHe\u2019s been good,\u201d Beck said. \u201cHe\u2019s been a great help.\u201d \n<\/p>\n


\nA total of 125 yachts remain in in the 628-nautical-mile race. \n<\/p>\n


\nSail-World NZ: Update at 1900hrs AEST (0800UTC) – MasterLock Comanche has taken the race lead as the yachts split tacks down the New South Wales coast, and moves into the first night at sea. However they are only 0.1nm ahead of Law Connect who are sailing at 14.3kts compared to MasterLock Comanche on 12.2kts. \n<\/p>\n

\"Cyclops
<\/a>\"North
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