Andoo Comanche skipper John Winning says his supermaxi is unstoppable if sailed correctly in the right conditions, with the boat poised to create Sydney to Hobart history if it lives up to his name.
No yacht has ever taken line honours under three different owners or skippers, with Andoo Comanche set for that accomplishment if the boat Winning has chartered lives up to her billing as pre-race favourite.
"To do it with my name as main skipper on the boat would be incredible," said Winning, who was on line honours winner Perpetual Loyal - now LawConnect - in 2016.
"This boat is unstoppable when we sail her correctly and it gets the right wind, or even close to the right wind.
"If the boat doesn't break and we don't do something completely stupid then we should be down (in Tasmania) with an extreme chance of having a great result in this race - with a great result being a line honours victory."
Earlier this month, LawConnect owner Christian Beck joked the only way his boat could win line honours was if Winning made a mistake.
Strong northerlies forecast over the first two days could result in at least one of the four supermaxis challenging LDV Comanche's 2017 race record of one day, nine hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds.
Black Jack took line honours ahead of LawConnect last year but even stronger opposition is circling in 2022.
Andoo Comanche and nine-time line-honours winner Hamilton Island Wild Oats each return to the race for the first time since 2019 and are arguably better-suited to the forecast conditions than the other two supermaxis.
Winning is acutely aware underdogs can prevail in the line honours battle, especially if one of their rivals suffers damage.
He was aboard Perpetual Loyal when it took line honours ahead of the more fancied Wild Oats XI In 2016, with even distinguished sailor Tom Slingsby, who was steering the boat, doubtful of her chances.
"I said, 'Mate, we're going to win this race'," Winning said. "He goes, 'There's no way, this boat does not have an ability to win'.
"Next thing you know, we're neck and neck coming into Tasmania with Wild Oats - and a bit of luck on our side with gear failure from them. You've got to be in the right place at the right time."
Errors, wind shifts and boat damage are among the factors that can impact the outcome.
"There's so many things that can go wrong," Hamilton Island Wild Oats skipper Mark Richards said.
Contesting this year's race will be a fleet of 109, including eight international entrants and 20 two-handed boats, with the latter eligible to win overall honours for the first time in their second year in the event.
Adrienne Cahalan will become the first female to take part in 30 Hobart races. She will be one of 120 women sailing south on Boxing Day.
Cahalan will be aboard British boat Sunrise, which along with New Zealand's Caro and America's Warrior Won will be among the contenders for overall honours.
With TP52 Ichi Ban not competing after taking out overall honours in three of the last four races, Gweilo and 2018 handicap winner Alive are among the fancied local boats.
