![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2253775815-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHobart, Australia \u2014 After winning line honors in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race aboard the supermaxi Master Lock Comanche on Sunday, co-skippers Matt Allen and James Mayo declared they had achieved \u201credemption\u201d for last year\u2019s foiled campaign.<\/p>\n
The victory by Master Lock Comanche in the 80th edition of the 628-nautical-mile race was a fitting recompense after their early withdrawal last year, when the boat was forced out by a torn mainsail.<\/p>\n
Twelve months on, her co-skippers and crew were awarded the John H. Illingworth Trophy for line honors, given to the first boat across the line.<\/p>\n
Their charter of the world-renowned 100-footer \u2014 which Mayo likened to a \u201cracehorse\u201d \u2014 runs through to early next year, and with one failed bid already on the books, this year was an opportunity they were determined to seize.<\/p>\n
Allen, who has won the Sydney Hobart three times on corrected time aboard Ichi Ban (2017, 2019 and 2021), said on the Hobart docks: \u201cLast year was very frustrating. James and I decided we\u2019d only come back if we both wanted to do it 100 per cent. Last year was unfinished business. We wanted redemption.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mayo agreed, explaining how last year\u2019s disappointment laid the foundation for Sunday\u2019s win.<\/p>\n
\u201cI knew he was the guy I needed to work with,\u201d Mayo said of Allen. \u201cWe had a coffee, a partnership developed, and despite how brutal last year was, we came back to finish the job.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe crew are incredible. You can\u2019t achieve great sporting results without a great team.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis is one of the most iconic boats in the world, and she\u2019s like a racehorse \u2026 she talks to you. You look after her and she\u2019ll get you there.\u201d<\/p>\n
The win was the first for Allen and Mayo aboard Master Lock Comanche, but it marked the 100-footer\u2019s fifth, after wins under other campaigns in 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2022.<\/p>\n
Whether Allen and Mayo return to race in the Sydney Hobart next year aboard Master Lock Comanche remains uncertain.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
\n Matt Allen and James Mayo celebrate their boat\u2019s win (Steve Bell \/ Getty Images)<\/p>\n
\u201cYou never say never,\u201d said Allen, who vowed to celebrate the win with scallops and meat pies \u2014 and a few drinks. \u201cWe set a goal and achieved it. It\u2019s been an incredible partnership, but you never know what the future holds.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019ll sit down, probably over a beer, and work out what comes next. We\u2019ll enjoy the moment and think about it (whether to extend the charter) in a couple of days.\u201d<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/GettyImages-2253770630-scaled.jpg\")
<\/p>\n