No easing into it
Sydney Harbour offered no soft opening.
With just over five minutes to go, the super maxis were already under pressure. The breeze sat around 18 knots, nudging higher near the western channel pile. Jibs were short. Some mains already carried reefs. Everyone was thinking past the harbour, not just through it.
For the 100 footers, depth ruled decision making. Big keels narrowed the usable water. Positioning options were limited, and mistakes would be costly.
It was always going to be quick. Five minutes to the first turning mark. Moments later, the Heads.
Western side tells the story
The fleet showed its hand early.
Boats stacked on the western side, chasing steadier pressure and a cleaner angle down the harbour. Fourteen yachts lined up on the first start line, giving the front runners room to manoeuvre but little margin for error.
Reaching sails were ready to go. Timing mattered more than aggression.
Lucky set up well to the west. LawConnect sat higher, calm and measured. Comanche hovered close, watching, waiting.
This was classic time on distance sailing. No rush. No wasted metres.
A clean hit from LawConnect
When the gun fired, LawConnect nailed it.
Perfect timing. Clear air. Control from the first few boat lengths. Tony Mutter and crew executed another textbook start, rolling into the lead as the fleet accelerated hard.
Comanche broke cleanly but remained just to leeward, close enough to threaten, not close enough to escape. Lucky also started well, bow down and fast, enjoying a strong angle from further west.
Reaching sails came up across the line and speed built instantly. The harbour tightened.
Once again, LawConnect held the lane.
It marked the third straight year the boat has taken early control over Comanche, proving that positioning still matters more than raw horsepower.
Lucky shows intent, air becomes scarce
Lucky looked lively in the opening moments.
From the western edge, she sailed a slightly freer angle and built speed early. For a brief window, options were open.
But as the leaders converged, clean air became harder to find. Climbing higher meant sailing into disturbed wind under the huge rigs of LawConnect and Comanche.
The margins were thin. Every shift mattered.
Behind them, Moneypenny and Palm Beach 11 both emerged cleanly, ready to capitalise if Comanche faltered.
Control beats speed
On the water, the assessment was simple.
The western side paid. The breeze there was more consistent. The angle mattered.
But control mattered more.
LawConnect owned the inside lane to the turning mark and dictated pace. Comanche attempted to muscle through but could not break free. Lucky remained a factor, but the air was never going to stay clean forever.
Further back, congestion built quickly. With more than a hundred boats launching across multiple lines, errors compounded fast.
A long night ahead
As the leaders closed on the Heads, the breeze eased slightly under the land. That respite will be brief.
Forecasts south point to a hard night. Breeze building toward 30 knots. Sea state rising into the three metre range and beyond. It will be physical. It will be unforgiving.
This start did not decide the race.
But it showed exactly how it will be fought.
LawConnect struck first. Lucky made its presence known. Comanche stayed close.
From here on, it becomes about judgement, and keeping boats and crews intact as the coast stretches south.
