Master Lock Comanche Leads Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race on Record-Breaking Pace
The 2024 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is off to an exciting start, with Master Lock Comanche leading the fleet on its quest for a potential race record. As of the first day, the supermaxi yacht, formerly known as LDV Comanche, has been showing exceptional speed, extending its lead and staying on course to break the race record set in 2017.
Shortly after exiting the Sydney Heads, Master Lock Comanche surged ahead of its competitors, including rival LawConnect, which encountered difficulties unfurling its sails. This delay allowed Master Lock Comanche to take a commanding position. By 9:00 pm AEDT, it was ahead by 7.9 nautical miles, with the two boats leading the fleet by a significant margin. While Master Lock Comanche has been making steady progress, other boats are still trying to find their rhythm. Three boats, including Alive and Transcendence Rudy Project, have already retired from the race due to technical issues, further highlighting the unpredictable nature of this high-stakes competition.
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Strong north-easterly winds have been pushing the boats southward at impressive speeds, with the leaders reaching up to 28.5 knots. This weather pattern has been favorable for the supermaxis, enabling them to race faster than previous years. In 2023, it took over three hours for the leaders to reach Wollongong, but this year, they made the same distance in less than two hours. If conditions continue to favor Master Lock Comanche, the boat could potentially set a new race record, which currently stands at 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes, and 24 seconds. However, the race is far from over, and as the fleet approaches Bass Strait, the weather is expected to shift, which could drastically alter the race dynamics.
As the race progresses into the night, the wind is predicted to strengthen further, with gale-force conditions expected along the New South Wales South Coast. While Master Lock Comanche seems poised for victory, anything can happen in this unpredictable event, especially when the fleet enters the challenging waters of Bass Strait and the Derwent River, where light winds can completely change the outcome.
Though the leaders are pushing ahead, there are still many boats competing in various divisions. The double-handed entries are also showing strong performances, with boats like Mistral and Pacman making their mark. Despite being at the back of the fleet, the mother-daughter duo aboard Fika are steadily making their way south, aiming to qualify for the Melbourne to Osaka race next year.
The 2024 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling editions in recent memory, with Master Lock Comanche currently in the lead and on track to break the record. But as always, the unpredictable nature of the race means that anything can happen, and the coming days will surely hold more surprises. Stay tuned for more updates as the fleet makes its way toward Hobart, where the winner will soon be crowned.
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