Outimage Publications - Wild Oats XI heading into history books

The outimage dot net ocean yacht racing banner is an image of Roger Sturgeon's Transpac 65 Rosbud from the United States, working up Hobart's Derwent River into the late afternoon to take out an overall win of the 2007 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. The photograph was taken by Peter Andrews.

Wild Oats XI heading into history books

Rolex Sydney Hobart - News Update
05:30 AEDT December 28, 2008

Article By the Rolex Sydney Hobart Media Team

December 28, 2008.

The crew on the 30m maxi Wild Oats XI look likely to get their dream finish in this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart after all. Grant Wharington’s former overall winner Skandia stole the limelight yesterday but this morning she trails Wild Oats XI by 15 nautical miles on approach to Tasman Island.

Bob Oatley's Wild Oats XI, skippered by Mark Richards, outside the heads after the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2008.

Photo © Peter Andrews.

Bob Oatley's Wild Oats XI, skippered by Mark Richards, outside the heads after the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2008. Photo copyright Peter Andrews.

Barring mishap, Wild Oats XI’s line honours domination of Australia’s premier ocean classic looks set to be cemented with a record fourth line honours win in Hobart this morning.

Currently their ETA across the finish line off Battery Point is 9.30am.

Alan Whiteley's TP52 Cougar II, outside the heads after the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2008.

Photo © Peter Andrews.

Alan Whiteley's TP52 Cougar II, outside the heads after the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2008. Photo copyright Peter Andrews.

Nor’westerlies are expected to build across Storm Bay with 30 knots offshore and there is plenty of wind in the Derwent River to give the expected flotilla of spectators a real chase as they escort the likely line honours winner Wild Oats XI to her place in history.

Leading handicap positions have remained fairly static overnight with Alan Whiteley’s Melbourne TP52 Cougar II ahead of Bob Steel’s sistership Quest and Geoff Ross’ Reichel Pugh 55 Yendys.

Geoff Ross' Reichel Pugh 55 Yendys, outside the heads after the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2008.

Photo © Peter Andrews.

Geoff Ross' Reichel Pugh 55 Yendys, outside the heads after the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2008. Photo copyright Peter Andrews.

This morning, Yendys’ navigator Will Oxley reported interesting times and close racing.

"Cougar II is in sight behind, Loki is to weather and ahead a few miles. The wind is getting pretty light," said Oxley. "The boat is in great shape so far with no sail damage yet," he added.

Stephen Ainsworth's brand new Reichel Pugh 62 Loki, seen here in Sydney Harbour during the 2008 SOLAS Big Boat Challenge.

Photo © Peter Andrews.

"We are up for a big 12-15 hours and a tilt at this one. To try and have a better handicap we have run with only four spinnakers and so there have been a few nervous times but excellent helming has so far kept us out of trouble," said Oxley.

Official race website: www.rolexsydneyhobart.com

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