Skipper John Winning Jr is confident that Andoo Comanche can successfully defend its line honors title in the unpredictable weather forecast for the Sydney to Hobart race.
On Christmas Eve, the Bureau of Meteorology provided an uncertain outlook for the race, with vagueness surrounding wind, waves, and overall weather conditions from Boxing Day onward. The forecast, initially unclear, will become more precise by December 26 as a trough and low-pressure system moving southeast will influence the conditions.
The four 100ft supermaxi yachts might face challenging weather, including stormy conditions, showers, gusts, and hail from late Tuesday into Wednesday along the far-south NSW coast and Bass Strait. “Pack extra thermal gear; it will be cold,” warned SHK Scallywag skipper David Witt.
LawConnect eyes victory with a tactical advantage in predicted challenging weather conditions.The fluctuating forecast emphasizes the need for adaptable navigators. Winning noted that the key is trusting each crew member’s role.
“We’re confident our boat can win in any condition—whether it’s upwind, downwind, light wind, or reaching. We prefer conditions that let us finish quickly, but even in a 48-hour race, we believe our boat remains competitive,” he said.
Last year, Comanche set the second-fastest line honors time in Hobart history, finishing in 1 day, 11 hours, 56 minutes, and 48 seconds. Despite thriving in heavy downwind conditions in 2022, Winning pointed to their performance in lighter weather during the Brisbane to Hamilton Island race as proof of their versatility.
LawConnect, which has been the runner-up for line honors in the last three Hobarts, is considered Comanche’s main competitor.
With a strong performance in the recent Big Boat Challenge, LawConnect’s crew hopes to convert their success into a fast start on Boxing Day. LawConnect’s sailing master, Tony Mutter, is optimistic about tackling the rough conditions expected. “We prefer tactical races; it suits us well,” he said.