LawConnect, Comanche Battle in Wild Sydney to Hobart Conditions

Comanche and LawConnect have been clear front-runners since just out of Sydney Harbour and remained in step through Tuesday night.

Super Maxi SHK Scallywag (R) sails with LawConnect (L) outside the Sydney Heads during the 2023 Sydney to Hobart race start on Sydney Harbour in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 26, 2023. Andy Cheung/Getty Images

Supermaxis Andoo Comanche and LawConnect are going tit-for-tat at the head of the Sydney to Hobart fleet as the skipper of a retired yacht revealed he was flung overboard during storms.

The wild weather has put paid to hopes of a race record, veteran sailor Peter Shipway said, with eight of 103 starting boats pulling the pin before Wednesday lunchtime.