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The skipper of Sydney to Hobart line honours winner Wild Oats XI says technology in the race needs to move into the 21st century after a dodgy radio nearly cost his vessel a fifth crown.
Mark Richards was finally awarded the Illingworth Trophy on Wednesday afternoon, a day after finishing the race and with the supermaxi and most of her crew on their way back to Sydney.
Despite its recent dominance of the classic, Wild Oats XI still trails Morna for the most line honours wins – her most recent of seven victories coming in 1960 when it went by the name Kurrewa IV.
The ad-hoc presentation came an hour after an international jury dismissed the protest from race committee chairman Tim Cox against Wild Oats XI and RAN, who was sixth across the line.
Cox alleged that both vessels failed to have an operational radio for the journey across Bass Strait, which is has been a key safety rule since the 1998 race in which six sailors were killed.
The jury found that Wild Oats XI had suffered radio problems, but had correctly followed race procedures before entering the treacherous body of water.
A visibly relieved Richards shouted, “you bloody beauty”, as he emerged from the meeting, and told waiting media that technology standards in the race needed to be updated.
“There’s no question that the radios we’re using are archaic,” he said.
“I’m sure it’s not far down the track that we start seeing satellite communications between boats. It’s no longer such a big deal.
“I look forward to that day because other races around the world are using them and we already have them on board.”
Richards said he didn’t blame the race committee for lodging the protest.
“The race officials wanted to make sure that the facts were right and everyone did do the right thing,” he said.
“It is a big breach of the race rules to continue in the race after Green Cape (without reporting correctly). I was 100 per cent confident we did everything by the book.”
“There’s no need for apologies.”
Of the 14 yachts which had reached Hobart by Wednesday night, Adelaide’s Secret Men’s Business 3.5 was in the best position to claim overall honours.
Sydney-based Victoire led the charge of the 45 still at sea, as the winds subsided to force a slow finish amongst the smaller boats.
NSW yacht Nautical Circle suffered engine trouble and pulled out of the race, while Adelaide’s Shining Sea was forced to withdraw with a lost rudder.
A total of 18 boats retired from this year’s race, most because of the gale force winds which lashed the southern NSW coast on Tuesday.