{"id":376101,"date":"2025-12-28T13:25:32","date_gmt":"2025-12-28T13:25:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/376101\/"},"modified":"2025-12-28T13:25:32","modified_gmt":"2025-12-28T13:25:32","slug":"comanche-takes-out-line-honours-in-2025-sydney-to-hobart-yacht-race-as-it-happened","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/376101\/","title":{"rendered":"Comanche takes out line honours in 2025 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race \u2014 as it happened"},"content":{"rendered":"

Master Lock Comanche has claimed line honours in the 80th edition of the gruelling Sydney to Hobart yacht race, with a stunning daylight hours finish.<\/p>\n

The 100-footer crossed over the finish line at 6:03:36pm, after flying up the River Derwent.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

The crew onboard Comanche were quick to celebrate their line honours win in the 80th Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. (ABC News: Maren Preuss)<\/p>\n

Comanche finished with a race time of 2 days, 5 hours, 3 minutes and 36 seconds.<\/p>\n

It is well shy of the line honours race record it set back in 2017 (then as LDV Comanche) of 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds, but marks its fifth line honours win.<\/p>\n

The crew said it was a welcome “redemption” after having to retire early into last year’s race due to mainsail damage.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

Master Lock Comanche passing Tasman Island Sydney to Hobart 2025 (Supplied: CYCA)<\/p>\n

\"a<\/p>\n

The Comanche crew celebrate after docking in Hobart. (ABC News: Maren Preuss)<\/p>\n

“Last year was brutal but it was unfinished business,” co-owner and skipper James Mayo said.<\/p>\n

“We wanted redemption and said ‘let’s do it again’ \u2014 and the crew, they’re incredible.”<\/p>\n

Fellow co-owner and skipper Matt Allen said he had not been in a race like it, having to claw back an early lead.<\/p>\n

Comanche takes Sydney to Hobart lead on day one<\/a><\/p>\n

Master Lock Comanche takes over from LawConnect late on day one of the Sydney to Hobart, as tough conditions take their toll on the fleet, forcing a number of retirements. Look back at the action in our blog.<\/p>\n

Jostle for lead spot<\/p>\n

Another of the supermaxis, LawConnect, was the first yacht out of the heads <\/a>when the race began in Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day, before it was overtaken by Comanche.<\/p>\n

Early on Sunday, they were overtaken by Scallywag, with the three yachts in sight of each other for most of the day, and Lucky just over their shoulder.<\/p>\n

But, Comanche regained its lead.<\/p>\n

“We had a great lead during the race. It evaporated this morning, and we had to effectively have a restart,” Allen said.\"Crowds<\/p>\n

Crowds watch the race winner arrive at Hobart’s waterfront. (ABC News: Maren Preuss)<\/p>\n

“We’ve never seen anything like that in the Sydney to Hobart race where all the boats were so close together, really on day two.”<\/p>\n

He said when the yacht lost its lead this morning, the crew stuck to its strategy of defending from “inside the coast”.<\/p>\n

“We stayed with the game plan and the game plan worked \u2014 so it was fantastic.”<\/p>\n

Retirements flood in after ‘bruising’ conditions<\/p>\n

By Sunday morning, a quarter of competing yachts had retired from the race after bruising conditions<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Cruising Yacht Club of Australia vice-commodore David Jacobs said it felt like “being on a five storey building and doing a belly flop into a swimming pool”.<\/p>\n

Multiple boats pulled out due to damage being sustained, as well as seasickness in crews.<\/p>\n

\"a<\/p>\n

Wild Thing 100 skipper Grant Wharington said “conditions were pretty testing” on the first evening.<\/p>\n

Among the retirements were high-profile competitors Wild Thing and URM Group, and first-time competitor Vixen Racing, which had a crew member sustain a rib injury.<\/p>\n

West Australian entry Moneypenny also joined the list after a life raft unintentionally went overboard due to CO2 canisters “discharging, inflating and deploying” it.<\/a><\/p>\n

The conditions meant that by lunchtime on Sunday, roughly two thirds of remaining competitors had not even made it halfway.<\/p>\n

Comanche co-skipper Mayo said the crew had not been immune from those sensations, or injuries.<\/p>\n

“Three minutes after the start we lost the bowman; he suffered a pretty bad injury,” he said.<\/p>\n

“Maybe he has some broken ribs. We’re not quite sure yet, so he was out for the whole race from the first turning buoy.”Last year’s winners take second place\"Crew<\/p>\n

Hugs on board LawConnect after the boat finished in second place. (ABC News: Maren Preuss)<\/p>\n

LawConnect was the second yacht over the finish line, finishing roughly 47 minutes behind at 6:50:40pm.<\/p>\n

They had been hoping to get a back-to-back-to-back line honours win, but suffered a key setback after sustaining mainsail damage.<\/p>\n

\"LawConnect<\/p>\n

LawConnect crew taping sail tears at first light on Sunday. (Supplied: LawConnect)<\/p>\n

In a post on social media, they celebrated Comanche’s win as well as their own crew’s efforts.<\/p>\n

“Huge credit to the crew who persevered through tough conditions, making do with holes in sails, no sail instruments, broken mainsheets, halyards and more,” the post reads.<\/p>\n

“Big congratulations to Master Lock Comanche on line honours and best of luck to those still racing.”<\/p>\n

\"Love<\/p>\n

Still smiles aboard LawConnect after finishing within an hour of Comanche. (ABC News: Maren Preuss)<\/p>\n

The overall winner, also known as the handicap winner, may not be known for several days \u2014 with reigning champ Celestial V70<\/a> currently holding on to its lead.<\/p>\n

See how the line honours finish unfolded on Sunday evening.<\/p>\n

Key Events<\/p>\n

3h ago3 hours agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 9:56am<\/p>\n

3h ago3 hours agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 9:29am<\/p>\n

4h ago4 hours agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 9:24am<\/p>\n

Show all key events<\/p>\n

2h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 10:29am<\/p>\n

That’s where we’ll leave it\"Susan<\/p>\n

Thanks for joining us for the live coverage of the 2025 Sydney to Hobart.<\/p>\n

We’ll wrap it up now as supermaxi Palm Beach XI powers through the final stretch into Constitution Dock to join the four other race finishers and as likely overall winner Celestial starts its 12 nautical mile run up the Derwent.<\/p>\n

There are still 90 yachts still in the race, mostly congregated in Victorian waters as they prepare to cross the Bass Strait.<\/p>\n

Bringing up the rear is Wind Shift, which is not expected to cross the finish line at Castray Esplanade until January 2.<\/p>\n

What a way to celebrate a new year.<\/p>\n

\"\"Crowds at Constitution Dock, Hobart (ABC News: Maren Preuss)3h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 9:56amLawConnect crew grin from ear to ear\"Susan<\/p>\n

With reporting by Monty Jacka<\/p>\n

While LawConnect was hoping for more Derwent magic to defend its 2023 and 2024 wins, things have been a bit trickier this year.<\/p>\n

Owner and skipper Christian Beck, says a tear in the mainsail left a “big hole” in the sail, and the crew were sailing with it patched up as best they can.<\/p>\n

For those new to the race, LawConnect is a 100-foot maxi yacht with a strong track record and a crew known for fighting until the very end.<\/p>\n

\"\"The LawConnect crew celebrate (ABC News: Maren Preuss)\"\"Olympian Ian Thorpe joined the crew (ABC News: Maren Preuss)\"\"Smiles all round for LawConnect (ABC News: Maren Preuss)<\/p>\n

There’s a personal side to the crew on board, as Beck’s son Indy is racing for the first time after turning 18, and his wife Rachel is back on board after a two-year break.<\/p>\n

Five-time Olympic gold medallist Ian Thorpe was also on board.<\/p>\n

3h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 9:29amPalm Beach XI within sight of finishing line\"Susan<\/p>\n

It might sound like a new contender to the race, but Palm Beach XI is a record nine-time line honours winner.<\/p>\n

You just might know her better as Wild Oats XI, the yacht with the most wins in the Sydney to Hobart inclusive of two triple wins \u2014 line, race record and overall \u2014 in 2005, the year she was launched, and 2012.<\/p>\n

Now, after a multi-year hiatus, the 100-foot supermaxi is currently charging up the Derwent and within sight of the race finish to take out fifth place.<\/p>\n

If these conditions hold and this wind continues to blow, they won’t be too far away at all.<\/p>\n

\"\"Palm Beach XI, formerly known as Wild Oats XI, at sea, pictured ahead of the 2025 Sydney to Hobart yacht race. (Supplied: Rolex\/Kurt Arrigo)4h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 9:24amVideo: Look back on line honours win\"Susan<\/p>\n

Reporter Chris Rowbottom was down at Constitution Dock earlier this evening to see Comanche’s line honours race finish.<\/p>\n

Loading…<\/p>\n

4h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 9:12am<\/p>\n

‘Bit of a giggle’: Award for first boat to retire at Eden\"Susan\"\"Bill Barry-Cotter (front left) says winning the ‘First into Eden’ award is a “real positive”. (ABC News: Isla Evans)<\/p>\n

Reporting by\u00a0Isla Evans<\/p>\n

As well as helping the retiring sailors, the Twofold Bay Yacht Club also awards a ‘First into Eden’ plaque and trophy.<\/p>\n

The award goes to the first yacht to retire at the wharf each year \u2014 a tradition which started in 1994.<\/p>\n

“Everybody has a bit of a giggle,” Robyn Malcolm said.<\/p>\n

“They pose for photos and send them home and say ‘look we won something’.”<\/p>\n

The winner of this year’s award was Maritimo 100, an elegant, 100-foot cruiser which had to retire on Saturday night due to electrical issues.<\/p>\n

Owner and skipper Bill Barry-Cotter said the award was a positive note to end the race on.<\/p>\n

“That was a real positive, so we’re very happy about it \u2014 lovely town,” he said.<\/p>\n

4h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 9:08amLawConnect celebrate ‘a proud second’\"Susan<\/p>\n

With reporting by Meg Whitfield<\/p>\n

Last year’s line honours champion LawConnect has taken to social media to congratulate Comanche, and celebrate its own crew’s efforts.<\/p>\n

The two-time winner was hoping to take out a hat trick but was pipped by Comanche, who clinched the win by 47 minutes.<\/p>\n

“Despite sustaining significant damage, we never gave up the fight,” the post reads.<\/p>\n

“Huge credit to the crew who persevered through tough conditions, making do with holes in sails, no sail instruments, broken mainsheets, halyards and more.<\/p>\n

“Big congratulations to Masterlock Comanche on line honours and best of luck to those still racing.”<\/p>\n

\"\"Law Connect rounds the Tasman Peninsula (Supplied:CYCA)<\/p>\n

4h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 9:01am<\/p>\n

Locals have ‘sleepless night’ helping sailors\"Susan<\/p>\n

Reporting by Isla Evans<\/p>\n

We mentioned earlier that the town of Eden in south-east New South Wales is a popular spot for yachts to retire if they have suffered some early setbacks.<\/p>\n

Because of this, members of the Twofold Bay Yacht Club work hard to help crews find a place to sleep, direct locations to berth yachts and offer medical assistance.<\/p>\n

“We’ve had a sleepless night down here looking after them, finding them beds,” the club’s vice commodore Robyn Malcolm said.<\/p>\n

“One of the boats that came in last night, there’s 22 crew and 10 bunks.<\/p>\n

“When everything’s wet \u2014 and it was cold last night \u2014 that’s pretty miserable.<\/p>\n

“We just try and make it a little easier for them.”<\/p>\n

\"\"Robyn Malcolm and the Twofold Bay Yacht Club worked through the night to help sailors retiring in Eden. (ABC News: Isla Evans)4h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 8:51amLucky to take out fourth spot\"Susan<\/p>\n

The first of the 88-footers is about to sweep up the fourth spot. Currently about 1 nautical mile off the finish line.<\/p>\n

It was no mean feat as it kept up with a huddle of much larger supermaxis.<\/p>\n

But the US-flagged yacht is no stranger to top finishes, having taking out third over the line in the 2015 Sydney to Hobart battle.<\/p>\n

\"\"Lucky to cross fourth over the line (Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race)<\/p>\n

4h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 8:37am<\/p>\n

Scallywag takes out third spot\"Susan<\/p>\n

Supermaxi SHK Scallywag 100\u00a0has rounded out the podium finishers by taking out third place, with a finish time of two days, six hours, 14 minutes and 23 seconds.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It’s been a tight race for the top supermaxis, with only a little over an hour between first and third.<\/p>\n

4h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 8:37am<\/p>\n

Eden, the last safe haven before Bass Strait\"Susan<\/p>\n

Reporting by\u00a0Isla Evans<\/p>\n

The Sydney to Hobart is a notoriously gruelling race, so even making it to the finish line is quite an accomplishment.<\/p>\n

That has proven to be the case again this year, with 33 boats having retired from the race so far (for a variety of reasons).<\/p>\n

If you were following along on the tracker, you may have also noticed some boats diverting to Eden overnight.<\/p>\n

That’s because the town, nestled into the south-east coast of New South Wales, has the last safe port before crews face the infamous Bass Strait.<\/p>\n

Many boats use the town to reassess their options, conduct last-minute repairs or to simply call it quits.<\/p>\n

Among the nine yachts to dock in the town on Saturday night was Le Tiroflan, which retired after snapping its forestay in “big and quite disorganised seas”.<\/p>\n

“The boat was jumping off waves and shuddering,” crew member David Alais said.<\/p>\n

“We were pretty decimated last night coming in \u2026 it’s just a year of planning for nothing.<\/p>\n

“The only thing to look forward to is doing it again next year.”<\/p>\n

\"\"David Alais says the crew aboard Le Tiroflan were “pretty decimated” as they retired in Eden. (ABC News: Isla Evans)4h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 8:33amSuspected broken rib takes out crew member\"Susan<\/p>\n

The Comanche crew say it was pretty rough out there, right from the beginning.<\/p>\n

“Three minutes after the start we lost the bowman, he suffered a pretty bad injury,” says co-skipper Mayo.<\/p>\n

“Maybe has some broken ribs. We\u2019re not quite sure yet so he was out for the whole race from the first turning buoy.”<\/p>\n

He says another crewmember fell out of their bunk during rough weather.<\/p>\n

\"\"Comanche’s crew have a bite to eat at Constitution Dock after finishing the race (ABC News: Maren Preuss)<\/p>\n

4h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 8:24am<\/p>\n

In video: Comanche crosses the finish line\"SusanLoading…<\/p>\n

This was taken earlier in the evening of the moment Comanche crossed the finish line.<\/p>\n

5h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 8:17am’We were there to do a job and we did it’\"Susan<\/p>\n

\u00a0With reporting by Meg Whitfield\u00a0<\/p>\n

Comanche co-skipper Matt Allen says when the yacht lost its lead this morning, the crew stuck to its “game plan”.<\/p>\n

“We wanted to really defend from inside the coast, closer to the coastline. That eventually worked for us, the breeze filled in from inshore and we got the lead back and just extended throughout the day.<\/p>\n

“Everyone stayed really calm. We stayed with the game plan and the game plan worked so it was fantastic.”<\/p>\n

Co-skipper James Mayo has backed in his fellow skipper.<\/p>\n

He says the crew “loves every challenge that gets thrown at us”.<\/p>\n

“We tend to step up, so we were there to do a job and we certainly did it.”<\/p>\n

\"\"Beaming crew of Master Lock Comanche as she docks (ABC News: Maren Preuss)\"\"(ABC News: Maren Preuss)\"\"(ABC News: Maren Preuss)<\/p>\n

5h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 8:14am<\/p>\n

‘Absolutely amazing’ race\"Susan<\/p>\n

Reporting by Meg Whitfield<\/p>\n

Master Lock Comanche skippers Matt Allen and James Mayo have started speaking to media about the race.<\/p>\n

Allen says it was “absolutely amazing”.<\/p>\n

“We had a great lead during the race. It evaporated this morning and we had to have effectively have a restart. We’ve never seen anything like that in the Sydney to Hobart race where all the boats were so close together, really on day two.<\/p>\n

“Two win it twice makes it even more special.”<\/p>\n

\"\"Master Lock Comanche skippers Matt Allen and James Mayo 5h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 8:04amScallywag eyes finish line\"Susan<\/p>\n

It’s going to be a fairly quick finish for third runner-up supermaxi Scallywag as a stiff south-easterly pushes the yachts up the Derwent.<\/p>\n

Scallywag was about 10 nautical miles off Comanche, so we’re expecting her to finish soon.<\/p>\n

We sometimes get a situation in the River Derwent where the boats become ‘parked’, as they call it, and we see the supermaxis inching for every little breath of wind they can find and a real tactical battle unfolds in the Derwent.<\/p>\n

It’s not shaping up that way today though.<\/p>\n

5h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 8:01amLawConnect crosses in second place\"Susan<\/p>\n

Supermaxi LawConnect, which has been battling with a ripped sail, has taken out second spot in the line honours race.<\/p>\n

The jostle down the Derwent was a reminder of the 2023 race, where she claimed line honours from Andoo Comanche by 51 seconds as a thriller played out on the river in front of the crowds in the second closest finish in the race’s history<\/p>\n

5h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 7:52amComanche crew hoist trophy for line honours win\"Susan\"\"(ABC News)<\/p>\n

There’s cheering and excitement as the Comanche crew hoist the J.H Illingworth Trophy, awarded for line honours (first across the finish line).<\/p>\n

The ‘overall’ race winner, when taking handicap like boat size into account, gets a different trophy, the Tattersall Cup.<\/p>\n

5h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 7:48am<\/p>\n

Winner cheered on by crowd\"Susan<\/p>\n

ABC reporter\u00a0Madeleine Rojahn has just pulled into Hobart and says\u00a0it’s a pretty jubilant crowd down at Constitution Dock.<\/p>\n

“It’s been fantastic out here”.<\/p>\n

“When you’re on the chase boat and you’ve got the helicopter flying about and 50 other boats around you chasing these magnificent yachts . It’s been a fantastic ride.”<\/p>\n

\"\"Crowds line the dock to welcome winner5h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 7:42amIn photos: Comanche crosses the finish line\"Susan<\/p>\n

\u00a0The ABC’s Maren Preuss was out in the chase boat as Comanche barrelled down the River Derwent to take out a line honours victory.<\/p>\n

Here’s what she saw:<\/p>\n

\"\"(ABC News: Maren Preuss)\"\"(ABC News: Maren Preuss)\"\"(ABC News: Maren Preuss)\"\"(ABC News: Maren Preuss)<\/p>\n

5h agoSun 28 Dec 2025 at 7:34am<\/p>\n

Race winner kept really low profile\"Susan\"\"Commanche passes Tasman Island on approach to Hobart earlier today. (Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race)<\/p>\n

My colleague Chris Rowbottom says it’s been a really interesting race because Comanche has been one of the supermaxis we haven’t heard much from during the race.<\/p>\n

We’ve heard lots of little dispatches coming out of LawConnect and some of the other boats in the fleet, but Comanche has kept a really low profile.<\/p>\n

It’s just gone about its business and done what it’s had to do. We saw the early retirement of Wild Thing, one of the super maxis.<\/p>\n

After that tough first night at sea, we were wondering whether or not another one of the supermaxis was going to have to pull out.<\/p>\n

We saw damage to LawConnect. They had a ripped mainsail, they had some wind instruments that went down, so they were sailing blind for at least a portion of the race and there were trouble among some of the other boats too.<\/p>\n

Scallywag, of course, has sailed a magnificent race, taking advantage of all the light winds it could find and navigating its way through those turbulent seas.<\/p>\n

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