willow yacht sydney to hobart

Race record in sight for leaders in Sydney to Hobart yacht race

Andoo comanche is on track to reach the finish line on wednesday evening with a time that is more than two hours faster than the current race record of one day, nine hours, 15 minutes, 24 seconds..

Andoo Comanche is on track to potentially set a new record. The time to beat is one day, nine hours, 15 minutes, 24 seconds. Source: AAP / Bianca De Marchi

• In the first few minutes of the race, boats nearly collided.
• The first vessel to retire was Avalanche, a couple of hours into the race.
• There is the potential for the race record to be broken with the favourable wind conditions.

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ROLEX SYDNEY HOBART YACHT RACE: TENACITY CONQUERS ALL

Hobart, 31 December 2023 –  The 78th Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race will go down in history as a relentlessly demanding test of determination, as well as physical and mental resilience. The record will highlight a tooth and nail fight to the finish for Line Honours, and a Tasmanian boat joining the select few to have achieved two overall wins in the event’s near eight decades. Organised by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in conjunction with the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, Rolex has partnered the iconic offshore challenge since 2002.

For both the overall winner, Philip Turner’s 66 ft (20-metre) Alive , and the 100 ft (30.5 m) line honours victor, Christian Beck’s LawConnect, tactical skill and awareness was a major factor alongside sheer endurance. This was especially so in the River Derwent, on the final approach to Hobart, where the fates of many fatigued crews were finally decided. The unwavering tenacity of offshore sailors and their capacity  to summon their deepest reserves all the way to the finish, has been a common theme throughout Rolex’s near 70-year relationship with yachting. A fleet of 103 yachts had signed up for the renowned 628-nautical mile undertaking, ranging from fully professional maxi racers to more Corinthian crews, and including some 18 two-handed boats. Departing Sydney Harbour on 26 December under mainly sunny skies and accompanied by the usual throng of enthusiastic onlookers, an uncertain and unsettled weather outlook ramped up the already high stakes of this notorious course. The presence of low pressure over the New South Wales coast and the ominous threat of troughs was fair warning of what was to follow. Rapidly developing thunderstorms, lightning, intense rain squalls and winds erratic in strength and direction enveloped the fleet during the first 24 hours of racing. A south westerly then moved in, leaving the bulk of the yachts heading across Bass Strait and down the coast of Tasmania in upwind conditions that would turn very heavy, with a total of 16 crews forced to retire over the course of the race.

Line Honours Although four yachts were initially tipped as contenders, the battle to be first across the line in Hobart came down to a two-horse race between 100-footers LawConnect and Andoo Comanche , with LawConnect just managing to steal ahead in the final nerve-wracking seconds, after almost two full days of stalking their opponents.

“To win line honours in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is a dream come true, especially against Comanche because it’s such a good boat, and in a circumstance where the lead changed so much. It was an incredibly exciting experience all around.”

LawConnect ’s triumph was in fact clinched by the narrowest of margins, with the two boats just 51 seconds apart on the finish line. The second closest finish in the race’s history. The drama had commenced early for the Juan Kouyoumdjian design, as Beck explained:

“We had a great start and were first at the first mark. But when we went to furl our big masthead zero, the furling line broke and so we couldn't wrap up this massive sail. And we're coming straight towards the zone where all the spectator boats were and we couldn't tack...”

The 21-strong crew, which included four Corinthian sailors, managed to avert disaster and recovered quickly to set up a veritable match race with the defending line honours champion Andoo Comanche . Entering the Derwent three miles behind Comanche, Beck looked set to add to his tally of three second-place finishes and perennial bridesmaid status. However the river is no place for the faint of heart and often rewards those that hold their nerve and take their chances. While Beck feared the race was lost, his afterguard of Tony Mutter and Chris Nicholson – two of the southern hemisphere’s finest and most experienced ocean racing sailors – had other ideas. Working with the equally talented American navigator, Chris Lewis, they reeled in Comanche, setting up an enthralling and memorable finish as the two colossi traded tacks, gybes and ultimately the lead. Beck was quick to admit that the win was very much down to the steely resolve of his capable crewmates, whose belief and motivation was inspirational for the rest of the crew:

“The determination was from Tony Mutter and Chris Nicholson, they never give up no matter how bad it gets. They are the ones that got us over the line.”

Overall Winner Overall winner Alive previously claimed the Tattersall Cup in 2018, and had come tantalising close in 2019. In a serendipitous turn of events, their success this year marks the 75th anniversary of the first Tasmanian boat to secure two wins in the Rolex Sydney Hobart. George Gibson’s Westward famously achieved consecutive victories in 1947 and 1948. Long-time skipper, Duncan Hine, was also part of the winning 2018 crew.

“Tasmanian boats have a long history in the Rolex Sydney Hobart, and to be one of those Tasmanian boats to have won, and now won it twice, is phenomenal.”

“Starting with a collection of people who have memories over the 10 or 15 races they’ve done, our navigator Adrienne Cahalan was on her 31st, you’ve got a lot of stored knowledge. Everyone in this race, all the guys could not have done any more, you didn’t even have to ask, everyone was on it.”

Gaining an all-important advantage over the main body, Alive swept towards the finish hard on the tail of the slightly bigger URM Group, with whom she had been sparring for two days. History has proved time and again that anything can happen on the Derwent , and it was arguably a close relationship with the fickle river that swung it for Alive , which represents the Derwent Sailing Squadron, by just 20 minutes on corrected time.

“In the end the Derwent is kind to people that know it, a little home advantage,” explained Hine, who also has a fair idea of the human qualities the race calls for: “Endurance, focus, and then endurance again.”

Like Cahalan, and Beck, and the hosts of sailors who return to complete this tour-de-force year after year despite the adversity and punishing roster, it seems the pain is already a distant memory and Hine is looking to future editions of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

“It’s a tough race and you can’t even really dream you could win it twice, so now I’m starting to think maybe we’ve got a third in us.” he admitted with a smile.

Former Australian yachtswoman of the year Adrienne Cahalan, navigator on Alive and now a three-time overall winner, arriving tired, cold and wet into Hobart’s Constitution Dock, did not underestimate the ingredients required for success.

“A lot has got to come together to win this race, that’s why it is so hard. The weather patterns have to be right, your equipment, your team. You get such a broad range of conditions, you have to know how hard to push or not push, and we pushed hard in this race through rough conditions.”

Having just beaten more than 100 other competitors to raise the coveted Tattersall Cup, Cahalan was clear on what an immense achievement this was.

“The Tattersall Cup is very hard to win. It took me 15 years to win it the first time. It's a really hard race because so much has to come together. So when you do win it, it does take a lot. It's something that everybody wants to do, but owners have spent years and years and never got over the line.”

Internationally renowned as one of the most arduous rites of passage in ocean sailing, a historic offshore challenge that has captivated professional and Corinthian sailors alike since 1945, the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race represents a cornerstone of Rolex’s association with world-class yachting endeavours. On a course so challenging that finishing is considered an achievement in itself, the pursuit of excellence, precision, and team spirit shine through, echoing the Swiss watchmaker’s enduring ethos.

ROLEX AND YACHTING Rolex has always associated with activities driven by passion, excellence, precision and team spirit. The Swiss watchmaker naturally gravitated towards the elite world of yachting six decades ago and the brand’s enduring partnership now encompasses the most prestigious clubs, races and regattas, as well as towering figures in the sport, including ground-breaking round-the-world yachtsman Sir Francis Chichester and the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, Sir Ben Ainslie. Today, Rolex is Title Sponsor of 15 major international events – from leading offshore races such as the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race, to grand prix competition at the Rolex TP52 World Championship and spectacular gatherings at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Swan Cup. It also supports the exciting SailGP global championship in which national teams race identical supercharged F50 catamarans on some of the world’s most famous harbours. Rolex’s partnerships  with the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Royal Ocean Racing Club, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Royal Malta Yacht Club, New York Yacht Club and Royal Yacht Squadron, among others, are the foundation of its enduring relationship with this dynamic sport.

Contact details

Giles Pearman

Virginie Chevailler

Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2024

The Yachts - Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race

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Lawconnect comes from behind to win the rolex sydney hobart in epic finish.

Lawconnect wins Sydney to Hobart

It has been hailed as one of the most remarkable come-from-behind wins of all time and it all came down to the thrilling final mile.

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race ended in dramatic circumstances with perennial bridesmaid LawConnect inching past fellow supermaxi Andoo Comanche to claim line honours in a ridiculously close nailbiter.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: LawConnect wins Sydney to Hobart in thrilling finish.

LawConnect, runner-up in the past three events, edged across the River Derwent finish line, 51 seconds ahead of her rival not long after 8am (AEDT) on Thursday.

After almost two days of sailing in ferocious conditions, the 100-footers played a tactical game of cat and mouse in light winds as they neared the finish, with LawConnect crossing the line in a time of 1 day, 19 hours, 03 minutes and 58 seconds

Both performed several jive manoeuvres as they attempted to secure the lead.

It is the second-closest finish in Sydney to Hobart history after Condor of Bermuda beat Apollo by a mere seven seconds in 1982.

The John Winning Jnr skippered Andoo Comanche held the upper hand for most of the 628 nautical mile race but LawConnect skipper and owner Christian Beck was always confident he could hunt down his rival.

As Comanche held a narrow lead into the River Derwent, Beck told Seven’s Sunrise it was game on. Both yachts then performed several jibe manoeuvres in the epic race to the line.

After the race Beck said: “I can’t believe that result. Honestly, it is a dream come true.

“They took the lead pretty close to the line and we thought there was no way we could get it back.

“A wind gust came around. It was a complete surprise.

“There were guys who couldn’t watch. It was very nerve-racking.”

Fans were blown away by the stunning finish.

“Wow, that was a close finish on the Derwent!!,” one wrote on social media.

And another said: “Holy s***! LawConnect passes Comanche in the variable breezes on the Derwent River. Nailbiter!!!”

And another: “Wow wee! What an amazing finish in the Sydney to Hobart! Congratulations LawConnect! I was hoping for a Comanche win.”

Andrew Hawkins, of horse racing fame, said: “Hard to believe it wasn’t the closest finish in Sydney to Hobart history but nine seconds separated LawConnect and Andoo Comanche - the closest was seven seconds in 1982! Still remarkable after 628 nautical miles to have such a close finish.”

LawConnect was first out of the Heads in Sydney on Boxing Day after a dramatic start to the 628-nautical mile bluewater classic and the retirement of fellow supermaxi SHK Scallywag.

Scallywag was forced to retire roughly six hours into the race after breaking her bow sprit.

Eleven of the race’s starting 103-strong fleet pulled the pin, with some reporting damage and seasickness in challenging conditions which included a thunderstorm on the first night.

LawConnect navigator Chris Lewis described the stormy seas as “wild” with 180-degree wind shifts.

Shane Connelly, skipper of retired two-handed entrant Rum Rebellion, was briefly flung overboard on Boxing Day off the NSW coast in strong winds.

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Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2024: A Legendary Challenge Awaits

As the 79th edition of the Sydney Hobart approaches, the excitement is palpable. Whether you're a seasoned sailor, an offshore racing enthusiast, or someone who simply enjoys the spectacle of high-level competition, the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race promises to deliver thrilling moments, testing the limits of both yachts and crews.

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, one of the world’s most iconic and challenging offshore races, is gearing up for its 79th edition, set to begin in less than 100 days on Thursday, 26 December 2024 . This 628-nautical-mile event, known for its unforgiving conditions and competitive spirit, will once again capture the attention of sailors and spectators worldwide. Starting from Sydney Harbour and finishing in Hobart , Tasmania, this annual race represents the pinnacle of blue water sailing and is a testament to endurance, strategy, and seamanship.

The Route: A Grueling Offshore Odyssey

The Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is renowned not just for its length but for the treacherous nature of the journey. The race begins with a spectacular start on Sydney Harbour at 1300 hrs AEDT , where hundreds of boats jostle for position in front of a cheering crowd. From there, the fleet heads south, navigating the unpredictable conditions of the Bass Strait —a body of water known for its challenging weather, including strong winds, heavy seas, and rapidly changing conditions.

The final stretch down the east coast of Tasmania can be just as tricky, often offering complex tactical decisions as yachts negotiate the Derwent River, where the wind can die down or shift abruptly, impacting the final standings. The combination of distance, weather, and tactical nuances makes the Sydney Hobart race one of the most demanding in the world.

A Legendary Race with Global Prestige

First held in 1945, the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has grown to become one of the most prestigious and internationally recognized sailing events. Each year, it draws competitors from around the globe, from professional sailors aboard cutting-edge maxis to passionate amateur crews in smaller vessels. The event has a storied history of drama, triumphs, and challenges, which has cemented its place as a must-do race for sailors seeking adventure and achievement.

Many yachts in the 2024 race will vie for the coveted Tattersall Cup , awarded to the overall winner on corrected time under the IRC rating system. Meanwhile, line honors, which go to the first yacht to cross the finish line, are another fiercely contested prize. The battle between supermaxis—60-foot-plus yachts designed for speed—always provides a thrilling spectacle.

The 2024 Fleet: A Diverse and Competitive Lineup

Entries for the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race have already opened, and sailors from around the world are eager to test their skills in this renowned event. The fleet will feature a diverse mix of yachts, from high-tech racing machines to seasoned offshore cruisers, each bringing their own strengths and strategies to the table. As of now, several prominent yachts have registered, and anticipation is building for a competitive race to Hobart.

Supermaxis like Comanche , Wild Oats XI , and Black Jack are expected to be among the top contenders for line honors, while a host of smaller and older boats, racing with experienced crews, will be in contention for overall victory on corrected time. These boats face the same course and conditions as the supermaxis, making for exciting and unpredictable results.

Key Challenges: Weather and Strategy

While the Sydney Hobart race has seen technological advancements in yacht design and navigation, the one constant challenge remains the weather. The Bass Strait is notorious for delivering fierce winds and rough seas, and many past editions of the race have been marked by storms that push yachts and crews to their limits. Strategic decisions—such as where to place the boat relative to wind shifts, when to change sails, and how to approach the unpredictable Derwent River in the race’s final stages—can make or break a campaign.

The 2024 edition is likely to be no different, with weather playing a pivotal role in determining both the speed of the race and the eventual winner. Sailors will be closely watching the forecasts, making real-time decisions on everything from sail selection to positioning.

A Spectacle for Spectators

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is not just a challenge for those on the water—it’s also a major event for spectators. The dramatic start on Sydney Harbour draws large crowds, both onshore and on the water, as hundreds of boats vie for the best positions to watch the action unfold. The sight of yachts racing out through the Sydney Heads , with spinnakers flying, is an unforgettable moment for those watching.

As the race progresses, many will follow the fleet’s progress through live tracking , as yachts make their way towards Hobart. For those in Hobart , the atmosphere is electric, as crowds gather at Constitution Dock to welcome the first boats in, often amid jubilant celebrations.

Looking Ahead: The 79th Edition and Beyond

As the 79th edition of the Sydney Hobart approaches, the excitement is palpable. Whether you’re a seasoned sailor, an offshore racing enthusiast, or someone who simply enjoys the spectacle of high-level competition, the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race promises to deliver thrilling moments, testing the limits of both yachts and crews.

In the face of challenges like tough weather, strategic gambles, and tight competition, this year’s race is sure to add another chapter to the legend of one of the world’s greatest offshore challenges. Will the current record-breaking times fall? Can a new boat or crew rise to the occasion and claim victory? Only time—and the Bass Strait—will tell.

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Sydney to Hobart yacht race: LawConnect wins Sydney to Hobart line honours after two-way river battle

Topic: Sailing

In a finish for the ages, LawConnect has sensationally overtaken Andoo Comanche in the final moments to snatch line honours in the 2023 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.

Andoo Comanche held the lead a lot more comfortably when rounding the Tasman Peninsula and entering the River Derwent for the final sprint, but LawConnect started to rapidly gain on them.

LawConnect and Andoo Comanche racing to the finish line. ( ABC News: Maren Preuss )

The two crews could wave to each other, if they wanted to. ( ABC News: Maren Preuss )

The speedier LawConnect closed several nautical miles between them along the river until they were neck and neck to a nail-biting finish. 

LawConnect's finish time in the end was 1 day, 19 hours, 3 minutes and 58 seconds. Andoo Comanche's was just 51 seconds behind.

If you're new to the Sydney to Hobart race, we've got a shortcut guide at the bottom of the story. Tap the link below to get the gist of the race: Explained: Common Sydney to Hobart yacht race questions 

The LawConnect crew celebrate their win. ( ABC News: Maren Preuss )

LawConnect owner Christian Beck described their dramatic win as a dream come true.

"I can't believe that result. Honestly, it's a dream come true," he said.

"I never thought it was possible, actually."

Despite trailing by a significant margin as they passed the Iron Pot on the final approach, LawConnect had the advantage of being able to watch Andoo Comanche to see where the slow spots were.

LawConnect entered with a protest flag flying, after being on standby for about 30 minutes during the race due to concerns Andoo Comanche was in distress, but a formal protest was not lodged.

There was also some interference from a spectator boat in the final moments, with a catamaran passing close to Andoo Comanche and the crew being seen yelling and gesturing.

Tasmania Police said this afternoon action would be taken against a 57-year-old man for "allegedly breaching" marine and safety regulations.

"The man was skippering a private vessel when it reportedly encroached into the exclusion zone set by Marine and Safety Tasmania," it said in a statement. 

The offence carries a fine of up to $3,900.

Sailing master Tony Mutter said spectator boats were something the competitors had to deal with.

"It's pretty fair that everyone had troubles with the spectator boats. That's part of it when it's so busy," he said.

Andoo Comanche skipper John Winning Jr said they only had themselves to blame for the last-minute loss.

LawConnect is racing to the Sydney to Hobart finish line. ( ABC News: Megan Whitfield )

"We should have been miles ahead of them with our boat," he said.

"The conditions suited us, I think they just outsailed us."

First local boat home

URM Group has claimed third place line honours, crossing the finish line at 3:07pm to record a race time of 2 days, 2 hours, 7 minutes and 19 seconds.

The first Tasmanian yacht to finish, Alive, crossed the line almost 12 minutes later.

Alive is currently in first place to win overall handicap honours.

Four yachts have now docked at Kings Pier, with Moneypenny and Wild Thing 100 expected to be the next to arrive.

Live Moment

Join us for the finish of the 2023 Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

Possible problem?

In the final moments, a catamaran appeared to cut in front of Andoo Comanche as the boat turned into the finish.

Eyewitness accounts say crew on Comanche were yelling at the catamaran to move as they tried to turn.

Could this make for an official race protest? We'll have to see.

After leading all the way into the River Derwent, Andoo Comanche won't make it back-to-back Line Honours wins. LawConnect snatched it away from them at the last moment!

How incredible. These boats set off together three days ago and it came down to mere seconds to the finish.

Andoo Comanche was in the lead when it approached the Tasman Peninsula this morning. ( Supplied: Andrea Francolini )

It has been a testing 78th edition of the Sydney to Hobart, with a man overboard, stormy seas, damaged yachts and rapid wind changes.

Eleven boats have retired, including race favourite SHK Scallywag, which broke its bow sprit on the first day.

The skipper of two-handed Rum Rebellion, Shane Connelly, was sent overboard at 6pm on Boxing Day after encountering rapid wind changes off the coast between Cronulla and Wollongong.

Two-handed Currawong also retired, after facing various issues in rough conditions off New South Wales.

Owner Kathy Veel said they were disappointed but believed they made the right decision.

"Last night was quite difficult and there was a lot more of that ahead of us in a long race," she said.

They were the last boat to cross the finishing line at last year's event, making a well-received arrival in Hobart at midnight on New Year's Eve.

Your questions answered

Here are the answers to some of the most common questions.

Who won Sydney to Hobart 2023?

When we talk about the Sydney to Hobart race, there are two major "winners":

• Line honours: This is the order in which boats cross the finish line.
• Overall winners: The order of winners once race times have been calculated to take into account the differences between boats (handicaps). This is because the boats aren't exactly the same — adjustments have to be made for things like the weight and length of the boat.

Line honours will always go to the biggest, fastest yachts (supermaxis) but is likely one of the smaller vessels will be crowned the overall winner (which is seen as the more prestigious of the two prizes).

Here's the line honours as of Thursday morning:

• Andoo Comanche

The difference between the two was just 51 seconds. 

But the overall winner won't be decided for days. 

Until then, we can only wait.

However, before the race, there were a few main contenders for the overall title – here they are listed in alphabetical order:

• SHK Scallywag

Who owns LawConnect?

Christen Beck. 

Mr Beck is the founder of a legal software company, which he created off the back of building a system for his father's legal firm in the 90s. 

In 2017, he was named EY Entrepreneur of the Year and in 2018, he was ranked 99th on the Financial Review's Rich List . 

Who owns Andoo Comanche?

John 'Herman' Winning Jnr.

He's the chief executive of Winning Appliances, a company started by his great grandfather in 1906. 

Mr Winning Jnr took over the role from his father in 2011. 

How far is the Sydney to Hobart distance?

It's a 628-nautical-mile course – that's  1,163 kilometres .

Starting at Sydney Harbour, the course runs down the south-east coast of Australia, across the Bass Strait before turning into the Derwent River to finish in Hobart. 

It usually takes about 48 hours for the first boat to cross the finish line.

What is a nautical mile?

A nautical mile is the equivalent to 1.852 kilometres .

It's an internationally used standardised term used for maritime navigation, based on the Earth's latitude and longitude coordinates.

A nautical mile is the equivalent of one minute of latitude. 

Because of this, a nautical mile is slightly longer than land mile. 

How many boats are in the Sydney to Hobart race?

There's 103 this year. 

What is the prize for Sydney to Hobart?

There's no prize money – just trophies. Here's the two main ones:

• JH Illingworth Challenge Cup: This is for the line honours winner – which is the first boat to cross the finish line.
• Tattersalls Cup: This goes to the overall winner.

What's the Sydney to Hobart record?

The line honours record is 1 day, 9 hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds .

It was set in 2017 by LDV Comanche.

If you've got even more questions, go read out Sydney to Hobart explainer  or tap the link below to jump back to the top of the story.

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