WILD Oats XI has claimed a history equalling third consecutive line honours victory in the Rolex Sydney-Hobart, but has missed out on the race record.
The majestic NSW maxi crossed the finish line in Hobart at 10.24am Friday to complete the 628 nautical mile race in one day, 21 hours and 24 minutes.
It was expected to finish around 8.30am but a light breeze slowed her final progress.
Wild Oats finished outside its own 2005 race record of 1:18:40:10, but was almost 12 hours quicker than last year’s passage.
It took a place in the rich 63-year history of the race alongside the 65-foot cutter Morna, which achieved a hat-trick in 1946-48.
It was a significant achievement for owner Bob Oatley and skipper Mark Richards, considering their rushed preparation.
The victory came less than four months after the team suffered a demoralising blow, when the boat lost its mast while competing in the Maxi Yacht Cup in Italy.
A new mast was fitted earlier this month and Wild Oats quickly resumed its winning ways, taking out the Big Boat Challenge on Sydney Harbour.
Wild Oats controlled the 628 nautical mile Sydney to Hobart race from the start, sailing first through Sydney Heads and never relinquishing its lead from that point forward.
British maxi City Index Leopard remained within 20 nautical miles for virtually the entire race, but never got enough of the heavy headwinds it wanted.
The Fastnet Race winner and record holder was on course to finish within an hour of the winner.
The third maxi Skandia, dropped to fourth behind the 70-foot Ichi Ban after suffering a significant reduction of speed after breaking its mast at 2.30am.
Source: Wild Oats XI wins
