The Unfinished Business Behind Comanche’s Win

HOBART : When Master Lock Comanche crossed the finish line in Hobart this week, the celebration on deck was about more than just a trophy. For skippers Matt Allen and James Mayo, it was the conclusion of a 12-month journey fueled by the “brutal” disappointment of the year prior.

In 2024, the duo’s campaign ended almost before it began. A catastrophic tear in the main sail on the very first day forced an immediate retirement, leaving the team to watch from the sidelines as their rivals fought for glory.

“Last year was very frustrating, but we wanted to come back,” Matt Allen explained shortly after docking in Hobart. “James [Mayo] and I decided we would only do it if both of us were 100 per cent in. It was unfinished business; we wanted redemption.”

That commitment to “100 per cent” was tested throughout the 2025 race as a massive storm cell saw 33 other vessels limp back to port. While their closest rival, LawConnect, struggled with their own sail damage, the Comanche crew maintained a blistering pace through the chaos.

The victory marks a turning point for the veteran skippers, proving that in the unpredictable world of offshore racing, the only thing more powerful than the wind is the will to return.

“Last year was brutal,” Allen admitted. “But this… this is a moment to savour.”