Driven To Win

Gear that Powers Sydney Hobart Icons.

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race is more than just a race—it’s one of the most iconic and grueling tests of skill, endurance, and innovation in the world of sailing. From the dramatic spectacle of the Boxing Day start in Sydney Harbour to the punishing winds and unpredictable conditions of Bass Strait, and finally the triumphant arrival in Hobart, this 628-nautical-mile epic demands the absolute best from yachts and their crews. It’s a race where grit meets precision, and where pushing the limits of technology, teamwork, and resilience can mean the difference between glory and defeat. At Zhik, we’re proud to be at the forefront of this legendary event, equipping the world’s top teams with high-performance gear that enables them to excel in the toughest conditions. 

Geared up for Performance

This year, we’re honored to partner with two of the most formidable supermaxis in the race: the record-breaking Comanche and the powerhouse LawConnect. Both yachts epitomize the relentless drive for speed, innovation, and excellence that defines this race—and that fuels everything we do at Zhik. Comanche, renowned for smashing records and dominating offshore races, continues to push boundaries under the skilled leadership of Matt Allen and James Mayo. Meanwhile, LawConnect, skippered by Tony Mutter, brings unmatched power and precision to manoeuvre, ready to fight for line honors once again. 
 
These partnerships go beyond just outfitting the crews. They represent a shared commitment to performance at the highest level, where every stitch, material, and innovation in Zhik gear is designed to give sailors the edge in the face of extreme weather and relentless competition. As these incredible yachts prepare to take on one of the most celebrated challenges in the world of offshore racing, Zhik stands proudly alongside them. In the Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, every decision matters, every wave counts—and when it’s all on the line, the best trust Zhik to deliver. 

LawConnect

LawConnect is a 100-foot offshore racing yacht that blends cutting-edge design with raw power, earning its place as one of the most formidable supermaxis in the world of competitive sailing. Owned by Australian tech entrepreneur Christian Beck and skippered by the legendary Tony Mutter, LawConnect is built to dominate the toughest ocean races. Originally launched as Speedboat and later racing as Perpetual Loyal, the yacht has undergone numerous upgrades to refine its speed, strength, and capabilities. It holds an impressive track record, including smashing the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race record in 2016 with a time of 1 day, 13 hours, 31 minutes, and 20 seconds. 
 
Now sailing as LawConnect, the yacht continues its legacy of high-stakes performance. In one of the most thrilling finishes in Sydney Hobart history, it claimed line honors in 2023, defeating Andoo Comanche by just 51 seconds. This remarkable achievement underscores the skill, determination, and precision of its world-class crew, who expertly harness the yacht’s immense power and advanced technology to perform under pressure. In 2024 they were once again able to claim line honours in back-to-back races.
 
LawConnect’s crew is outfitted in Zhik’s cutting-edge performance sailing gear, a partnership that ensures they are equipped to perform at their best in even the harshest conditions. With its optimized sail plan, lightweight construction, and relentless pursuit of innovation, LawConnect embodies the spirit of offshore racing. Together with Zhik, this partnership showcases the ultimate synergy of human resilience and technological excellence, proving that in the quest for victory, every detail matters. 

Masterlock Comanche

Comanche is a 100-foot offshore racing yacht that stands as one of the most advanced and successful vessels in the history of competitive sailing. Designed by the renowned team of VPLP and Guillaume Verdier and launched in 2014, Comanche was purpose-built to shatter records and dominate the world’s most demanding ocean races. Its sleek lines, towering mast, and powerful sail plan are paired with a cutting-edge carbon-fiber hull, optimized for speed and efficiency in even the harshest conditions. From its advanced hydrofoil systems to its lightweight construction, every element of Comanche is engineered for performance, allowing it to achieve blistering speeds that set it apart from the competition. 
 
Comanche has carved its name into sailing history, holding multiple records and earning victories in some of the sport’s most prestigious events. It set a now-iconic 24-hour monohull distance record, covering 618 nautical miles at an average speed of 25.75 knots, and has claimed line honors in the Rolex Sydney Hobart, Fastnet Race, and Transpacific Yacht Race. In 2022, under skipper Mitch Booth, Comanche smashed the RORC Transatlantic Race record, completing the 3,000-nautical-mile course in just over seven days. Recently rebranded as Master Lock Comanche, it continues to prove its dominance, proving a formidable front runner in races across the Australian east coast.
 
Now, under the leadership of co-skippers Matt Allen and James Mayo, Comanche is entering an exciting new chapter, pushing the boundaries of speed, endurance, and tactical precision. Its crew, outfitted in Zhik’s cutting-edge sailing gear, is equipped to excel in the world’s toughest ocean races. This partnership between Comanche and Zhik embodies a shared commitment to performance and innovation, proving that with the right combination of technology, skill, and resilience, there are no limits to what can be achieved on the water.