In her Rolex Sydney Hobart 2005 debut this maxi with canting ballast twin foil (CBTF) took line honours in record time and won the Tattersall’s Cup – the only boat to take the trifecta since Rani in the first race in 1945.  Wild Oats XI achieved an historic fourth consecutive line honours win last year, surpassing Morna’s record of three in a row achieved in the 1946-1948 races.  Wild Oats XI has undergone extensive modifications to increase her overall length to 100ft and will compete against 4 other 100fts yachts to try to secure a fifth successive line honours victory.

Skipper Mark Richards believes Wild Oats XI could sail the 628 nautical mile race in under 24 hours if the weather conditions are right, thus beating her own race record of 1 day 18 hours 40 minutes and 10 seconds set in 2005.  The outstanding crew line up boasts over 180 Hobarts collectively and includes Steve Jarvin, Robbie Naismith, Adrienne Cahalan, 2006 ISAF Rolex World Sailor of the Year and renowned America’s Cup yachtsman Mike Sanderson, Ian Burns and America’s Cup sailor Matthew Mason.

Link here to interviews with Mark Richards, skiper of Wild Oats XI:

Mark Richards, with Neville Crichton (Alfa Romeo) at a press conference after the race briefing - 24 December 2009

Mark Richards - 27 December 2009

Proudly supported by Hamilton Island - www.hamiltonisland.com.au

Name Wild Oats XI Race name Wild Oats XI Launch year 2005 Sail number 10001 Owner Robert Oatley Skipper Mark Richards (5) Navigator Adrienne Cahalan (17) / Ian Burns (13) Crew T Wiseman (4), S Runow (20), M Shillington (14), R Goodrich (4), J Hildebrand (5), R Daniels (8), A Henderson (13), J Whittaker (7), R Naismith (14), S Jarvin (21), T Tindill (5), I Murray (15), M Sanderson (1) Club HIYC State NSW Type RP100 Designer Reichel Pugh Builder McConaghy Construction Carbon/Nomex IRC TCC 1.933 LOA 30.48 Beam 5.4 Draft 5.5

. Wild Oats XI does a rapid U-turn in Hobart while owner Bob Oatley plans to come back next year  . Wild Oats XI arrives in Alfa Romeo’s wake  . Alfa Gets the Gun at 2009 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race  . Jubilant Crichton glad it’s all over  . Alfa Romeo takes line honours  . One More Hurdle  . Alfa Romeo holds on to Rolex Sydney Hobart lead  . YuuZoo sailing in minefields