The gruelling 2025 Sydney to Hobart yacht race has been defined by punishing conditions, forcing a significant number of retirements as a new leader emerged in the battle for line honours on Sunday morning.
Scallywag Seizes Lead in Fierce Three-Way Battle
As the race entered its third day, the Hong Kong-owned supermaxi Scallywag made a decisive move. At approximately 8am, it passed the previous frontrunners, LawConnect and Master Lock Comanche, to take the lead off Tasmania's east coast. This sets up a thrilling finale, with the three yachts locked in a tight tussle towards the finish line in Hobart.
Scallywag is chasing its maiden victory in the iconic bluewater classic. Its rivals have their own compelling narratives: LawConnect is aiming for a historic third consecutive win, while Comanche, skippered by Matt Allen and James Mayo, seeks redemption after retiring with mainsail damage in the 2024 edition.
'Nasty' Seas Exact a Heavy Toll on the Fleet
The 80th edition of the race has lived up to its reputation for brutality. Crews have contended with strong 25-knot winds and challenging four-metre swells, leading to a cascade of retirements. By 7am on Sunday, 33 of the original 128 yachts had retired, leaving 95 vessels still racing.
The retirements stem from a catalogue of serious incidents and damage:
- The Tasmania-owned Kraken 42S retired on Saturday night, heading for the New South Wales coast after a crew member suffered suspected broken ribs and the yacht experienced electrical issues.
- Ragtime, which placed 31st overall last year, was forced to retire after its life raft was lost overboard.
- The competitive Moneypenny, a past division winner, also lost its life raft when it self-inflated. The crew stated that safety was their paramount concern, as all required safety equipment must remain onboard.
- URM Group, a contender for the handicap trophy, retired on Saturday afternoon with hull damage.
- The high-profile Wild Thing 100, a 2024 podium finisher, joined the casualty list. Skipper Grant Wharington described the seas as "nasty" and expressed doubts over makeshift repairs holding in tough upwind conditions. He notably remarked, "When you've got $4 million of mast in the air and no insurance you analyse these things a bit more carefully."
Earlier retirements were also attributed to severe crew seasickness, underscoring the physically demanding nature of the race.
A Race Against Time and the Elements
With the fleet battered by the relentless conditions, the race record of one day, nine hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds set in 2017 was never under threat. The leading yachts are now expected to finish in Hobart on Sunday evening, marking a slow and arduous passage.
The 2025 Sydney to Hobart has powerfully demonstrated the dual nature of ocean racing. As one retiring crew poignantly noted on social media, "The very things that make ocean racing so exciting can also make it devastating." The focus now shifts to the final sprint up the Derwent River, where Scallywag will attempt to defend its hard-won lead against its determined rivals.
