Wild Oats XI to unveil new keel modification ahead of Boxing Day race

by Rob Mundle on 14 Dec 2012 The Wild Oats XI is scheduled to unveil its new keel modification on Monday, 17th of December at 11.30 a.m at Woolwich Dock, Clarke Road, Woolwich. Bob Oatley’s Wild Oats XI hopes its changes in its keel will steer them to another resounding victory after finishing the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race at a record time in 2005.

Bob Oatley’s Rolex Sydney Hobart race record holder, the 30-metre long supermaxi, Wild Oats XI, will reveal previously unannounced keel modifications when she is lifted from the water on Monday, December 17 for her final pre-race preparation.

The changes represent the latest thinking in hydrodynamic and aerodynamic technology and relate back to the design of Australia’s 1983 America’s Cup winner, Australia II.

These modifications to the keel are among a number made to significantly improve the yacht’s speed in light winds, and improve her chances of bettering her race record time of 1 day, 18 hours, 40 minutes, 10 seconds, which was set in 2005.

Given ideal conditions, Wild Oats XI has the potential to cover the 628 nautical miles to Hobart in around 24 hours.