Australia

Master Lock Comanche Conquers ‘Dogfight’ for 5th Historic Win

8:58 pm - December 28, 2025
Australia

Comanche claimed line honours for the fifth time.

HOBART — The 80th edition of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has its champion. Master Lock Comanche crossed the River Derwent finish line at 6:03 PM on Sunday, securing line honours for the fifth time in a dramatic display of tactical sailing and endurance.

For co-skippers Matt Allen and James Mayo, the victory was a moment of pure redemption. After the heartbreak of 2024—where the 100ft supermaxi was forced to retire early due to mainsail damage—the crew returned with what Mayo called “unfinished business.”

Comanche completed the 628-nautical-mile course in 2 days, 5 hours, 3 minutes, and 36 seconds. While the time was well short of the 2017 race record (1 day, 9 hours), the win was hard-fought in some of the most grueling conditions seen in years.

The 2025 race will be remembered for its “brutal upwind slog.”

High-profile crews were hit by 4-meter swells.

Broken outhauls, torn mainsails, and lost life rafts.

Several sailors reported broken ribs during the Bass Strait crossing.

Despite a mid-race “dogfight” where SHK Scallywag 100 and LawConnect briefly took turns leading, Comanche’s superior boat speed in the closing stages allowed them to pull 10 nautical miles ahead of LawConnect, denying the defending champion a third consecutive win.