Sydney to Hobart 2024 LIVE: Perfect weather to make way for storms and swells

In this year’s race, there are two big boats that have been talking a big game, and after the start we just saw, they are likely to be on each others heels all the way to Hobart. Master Lock Comanche and LawConnect finished first and second in 2023, 2022 and 2019. Their skippers also have a lot to lose.

For Comanche, last year’s was their race to win, but after a dramatic overtake by LawConnect just metres from the Derwent River finish line, they were relegated. LawConnect is fighting to retain its title and prove its colourful owner’s barbs at his opponents are fair game.

“Our boat has got people who have won the Hobart multiple times … there are a handful of world champions on the boat, Olympians,” said Comanche co-skipper, James Mayo, “we’ve got crew that have raced around the world several times and won. They’ve been involved in America’s Cups. That pressure … we’re used to that every time we go racing.”

Read what the two skippers have to say about each other, and how they think this year’s race is going to turn out, here.