Yachts to watch in the 2023 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

LEADING LINE HONOURS CONTENDERS FOR THE 2023 SYDNEY TO HOBART YACHT RACE

The John Winning Jr-skippered behemoth is out to defend her line honours title and has dominated the lead-up to the race. Of the four 100ft SuperMaxis competing, she is the best suited to heavy, down-wind conditions.

Runner-up for line honours at the last three Sydney to Hobarts, LawConnect appears to be peaking at the right time and has been singled out by Andoo Comanche as the biggest threat to her title defence.

Hong Kong-based Scallywag is something of an unknown quantity, having been out of the water and in the workshop for 18 months leading up to October. She's since returned 500kg slimmer and will fare best in lighter conditions.

LEADING OVERALL HONOURS CONTENDERS

Since placing third overall in last year's race, Caro has claimed an impressive victory on handicap at the FastNet Race, an off-shore event of similar length to the Sydney to Hobart. She is one of eight TP52s, a highly competitive model, in this year's race.

Sam Haynes' Celestial would be going for a rare 'three-peat' had a time penalty not cost her overall victory in 2021. Celestial overcame a broken main sail to win last year's contest by 15 minutes on handicap.

Bigger than the TP52s at a little more than 72 feet long, this mini-maxi has been the most dominant of the smaller boats in the lead-up to the Sydney to Hobart and is hoping to build a lead in rough, upwind conditions.

Australian Associated Press