Wild Oats XI

The abnormally light airs of Bass Strait in 2014 provided Wild Oats XI with her getaway from the brand new Comanche and she sailed to a record making eighth line honours victory, outstripping Kurrewa IV/Morna’s seven, held since 1960. On taking line honours in July’s 2225nm Transpac Race from Los Angeles to Honolulu, and hearing both Comanche and the new Rambler 88 were coming to town for the 2015 Rolex Sydney Hobart, Bob Oatley made the drastic decision to make major modifications to his yacht to keep her competitive. A 10-metre section was cut off the bow and a new longer bow section attached. Two metres was cut off the stern and changes were made to the hull configuration, sail plan and rig. The project at McConaghy boats (which built the original yacht) took three months.

Come what may in Rolex Sydney Hobart, which will be her most significant ever, Bob Oatley, his skipper Mark Richards and crew can be proud of their achievements to-date, including twice taking the triple crown of line honours, race record and overall winning the race in 2005 and 2012. Her record time to beat is 1day 18hrs, 23mins 12secs. She has only been bested twice for Hobart line honours since her launch – by Alfa Romeo in 2009 and Investec Loyal in 2011. Wild Oats also holds the Sydney Gold Coast Open race record (22hrs 3mins 46secs set in 2012), the Cabbage Tree Island record (12h 15m 55s set in 2012) and Port Hacking Bird Islet Race (10h 51m 41s set in 2013). Crew member Steve Jarvin lines up for a hopeful 14th Hobart line honours victory (his 13 are unprecedented).  

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