The nine-year-old yacht crossed the line after two days, two hours, three minutes and 26 seconds [AP]
Supermaxi Wild Oats XI won its eighth line honours in
the Sydney to Hobart race on Sunday, officials said, to become the most
successful yacht in the history of the competition.
the Sydney to Hobart race on Sunday, officials said, to become the most
successful yacht in the history of the competition.
The Mark Richards-skippered 100-footer crossed the finish line ahead
of American newcomer Comanche in the gruelling 628 nautical mile (1,163
kilometre) race down the east coast of southern Australia, organisers
the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia said.
of American newcomer Comanche in the gruelling 628 nautical mile (1,163
kilometre) race down the east coast of southern Australia, organisers
the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia said.
The nine-year-old yacht crossed the line after two days, two hours,
three minutes and 26 seconds at 3.03pm (0403 GMT), while Comanche
finished in two days, two hours, 52 minutes and 44 seconds.
three minutes and 26 seconds at 3.03pm (0403 GMT), while Comanche
finished in two days, two hours, 52 minutes and 44 seconds.
"It was our toughest race. To have a boat (Comanche) so close is
always difficult, especially when they are going faster than you,"
Richards told reporters in Hobart after the yacht crossed the line at
Battery Point.
always difficult, especially when they are going faster than you,"
Richards told reporters in Hobart after the yacht crossed the line at
Battery Point.
"We managed to pull it off and I just said to the guys, we have just
got to hang in there, hang tough, minimise the losses and wait for the
first opportunity we could to attack and we did and it paid off."
got to hang in there, hang tough, minimise the losses and wait for the
first opportunity we could to attack and we did and it paid off."
Wild Oats XI, one of five supermaxis -- the biggest and fastest
yachts -- in this year's race was also first across the line every year
from 2005 to 2008 and in 2010, 2012 and 2013.
yachts -- in this year's race was also first across the line every year
from 2005 to 2008 and in 2010, 2012 and 2013.
It surpassed the record of Morna/Kurrewa IV, which won seven line honours titles in the 1950s and in 1960.
But choppy seas during the race meant the leaders were unable to
challenge the race record set by Wild Oats XI in 2012 of one day, 18
hours, 23 minutes and 12 seconds.
challenge the race record set by Wild Oats XI in 2012 of one day, 18
hours, 23 minutes and 12 seconds.
The brand-new, cutting-edge Comanche, owned by American technology
entrepreneur Jim Clark, had a stellar start when it flew out of Sydney
Harbour at the start on Friday, followed closely by Wild Oats XI.
entrepreneur Jim Clark, had a stellar start when it flew out of Sydney
Harbour at the start on Friday, followed closely by Wild Oats XI.
But as the boats turned south they encountered choppy seas, prompting
the fleet to spread out as they tried to avoid the worst of the
weather.
the fleet to spread out as they tried to avoid the worst of the
weather.
By morning the winds had eased, giving an advantage to the slim-line
Wild Oats XI, owned by billionaire Bob Oatley, which broke away from the
wider-bodied Comanche on Saturday afternoon.
Wild Oats XI, owned by billionaire Bob Oatley, which broke away from the
wider-bodied Comanche on Saturday afternoon.
- 'Exciting moment' -
Wild Oats XI extended its lead on the second night, taking advantage
of a high-pressure ridge in the Bass Strait, although Comanche narrowed
the gap to 10 nautical miles at Tasman Island on Sunday.
of a high-pressure ridge in the Bass Strait, although Comanche narrowed
the gap to 10 nautical miles at Tasman Island on Sunday.
"It all went really, really well. To win a Hobart is such a great
honour, but to win an eighth one, it's just wonderful," Richards said.
honour, but to win an eighth one, it's just wonderful," Richards said.
"The opportunity to rewrite a bit of sailing history doesn't happen
every day of the week, that's for sure. Just a very exciting moment."
every day of the week, that's for sure. Just a very exciting moment."
Oatley said his yacht would "definitely be back next year", adding:
"It's a miracle... she is the best boat in the world, she's proved
that."
"It's a miracle... she is the best boat in the world, she's proved
that."
Clark said he was not sure if Comanche would be back to race next year, but praised Wild Oats XI and its crew.
"Wild Oats and Mark Richards ran one hell of a race and it's a really excellent boat," he said.
The Sydney to Hobart was Comanche's first major ocean race, with
accomplished American skipper Ken Read admitting before the start that
the yacht -- which is broader than its class rivals and has a towering
150-foot mast set further back than most -- was not perfect for the
competition.
accomplished American skipper Ken Read admitting before the start that
the yacht -- which is broader than its class rivals and has a towering
150-foot mast set further back than most -- was not perfect for the
competition.
Perpetual Loyal, another supermaxi, was the most high-profile
retirement after withdrawing with hull damage, while Brindabella, a
former line honours winner, also pulled out after it started taking on
excess water due to damage to rudder bearings.
retirement after withdrawing with hull damage, while Brindabella, a
former line honours winner, also pulled out after it started taking on
excess water due to damage to rudder bearings.
The 70th Sydney to Hobart bluewater classic drew its biggest fleet since 1994 of 117 yachts.
Yachting: Wild Oats XI wins Sydney-Hobart - Sailing - Al Jazeera English
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