Comanche made a somewhat unhappy sight this morning, again alongside at her Sydney berth somewhat than taking pleasure of place in Hobart because the line-honors winner she appeared destined to be. Who might blame the crew if the mainsail that gave method throughout their final gybe has already been despatched in disgust to the dumpster.
The 2 males who co-chartered the 100-footer, Matt Allen and James Mayo, now have a tough resolution to make. Do they proceed with their marketing campaign for an additional 12 months in order that Comanche can race to Hobart once more subsequent December, or stroll away? The temptation should be sturdy to show the boat’s price in opposition to Scallywag, Leopard and Fortunate (the previous Rambler 88) – all of whom are anticipated for the eightieth Sydney-Hobart in 2025 – not to mention to beat defending champion LawConnect.
In the meantime, again on the race, the customary dockside dying watch has begun. These boats who’ve completed look ahead to the ‘time to beat’ handicap deadlines of their rivals to go. That cut-off has already put paid to the hopes of Smuggler and Caro, the best-performed of the 52-footers. Mistral is at the moment mendacity in sixth place on IRC however nonetheless has 210nm to sail. The 2-hander is now unlikely to make the general podium.
As issues stand, Celestial V70 seems to have the win sewn up, adopted by LawConnect and Wild Factor 100. They’re the three longest boats to have accomplished the race, a pattern that appears to have grow to be the norm for the Sydney-Hobart. Not one total winner since 2015 has been lower than 52 ft LOA.
Why has this occurred so constantly? I’m definitely no skilled on the IRC system however it might seem the ranking system may not take adequate account of the flexibility of the bigger, extra highly effective boats to airplane. The Hobart race often has prolonged intervals of downhill crusing. Generally you surprise why the smaller displacement yachts hassle to compete.
– anarchist David
Title inspiration: the late, nice Kurt Vonnegut Jr.
