SYDNEY-HOBART OMEN: COMANCHE WARMS UP WITH A WIN

AS omens go, it’s a pretty good one.

Sydney supermaxi Comanche (above) has claimed line honours in the final lead-up race to the Sydney to Hobart and a race record to boot.

The last yacht to achieve the line and race-record double in the Bird Island race — Stephen Ainsworth’s Loki — went on to win the Sydney to Hobart overall in 2011.

Skipper Jim Cooney’s focus is claiming the line honours in the 74th edition of the Sydney to Hobart after last year being awarded the fastesttime honours and new race record when Wild Oats incurred a time penalty which dropped the multiple winner back into second place.

To this end, Cooney has raced every major offshore event before the Boxing Day race to bring both his crew and boat up to speed.

Last year he had only days to familiarise himself with the yacht after buying it in mid-December.

“The big change this year for us is all about our preparation,’’ Cooney said. “We have all be working really hard on the boat and our sailing, and I think that has been the difference.’’

In its lead-up to the Sydney to Hobart defence, Comanche has now won four major training races for three race records.

The Bird Island milestone follows the 100-footer setting race records in both the Newcastle Bass Island and Cabbage Tree Island races.