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Veteran supermaxi Wild Oats XI has reinforced her standing as the most successful boat in the 70-year history of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, claiming line honours for a record eighth time.
Owned by winemaker Bob Oatley and skippered by Mark Richards, the 10-year-old 100-footer crossed the finish line at Hobart’s Battery Point in two days, two hours, three minutes and six seconds.
Although well short of her 2012 race record (one day 18 hours and 23 minutes) set in 2012, that was of no concern to the crew.
“It’s a miracle, an absolute miracle,” owner Bob Oatley said.
“It’s just about (the sweetest victory), but they’re all sweet.”
Oatley said Wild Oats would be back next year and he’s like to push for 10 line honours victories and beyond with the same, much-modified, boat.
“I wouldn’t dream of it (replacing her),” he said.
Brand new American supermaxi Comanche was in second position, about 10 nautical miles behind.
The high-tech Comanche had been hotly tipped to take out line honours and quickly swept to the lead with a blistering start out of Sydney Harbour on Friday before settling into a tight battle with Wild Oats XI.
The unpredictable Bass Strait weather proved decisive as Wild Oats dealt best with a high-pressure ridge which slowed Comanche at one point to 6.6 knots to be the second slowest among the race fleet.
The Hamilton Island-based Wild Oats XI never looked likely to give up that lead, although Comanbche made up ground, as she tracked down Tasmania’s east coast and into Hobart’s Derwent River to cross the line just before 3pm (AEDT).
WILD OATS XI WRAP SHEET
* 100-foot supermaxi
* Launched: 2005
* Skipper: Mark Richards
* Owner: Robert Oatley
* Sydney to Hobart line honours: 2014, 2013, 2012, 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005
* Sydney to Hobart record times: 2012 (one day, 18 hours, 23 minutes 12 seconds); 2005 (one day, 18 hours, 40 minutes, 10 seconds)