Rolex Sydney Hobart News Flash - Protests dismissed
by Sail-World.com Team on 29 Dec 2010
Wild Oats XI finishing - Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Andrea Francolini Photography
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Rolex Sydney Hobart News flash from Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania.
After a hearing of the International Jury, Bob Oatley Wild Oats XI has had the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race Committee's protest against her dismissed as has Nicklas Zennstrom's Ran.
The five-member jury heard submissions after the race committee lodged a protest against the crew late yesterday.
The jury heard that Wild Oats XI held position above Gabo Island until her radio was repaired and then as Sail-world.com reported on Monday morning, Ian ‘Fresh’ Burns, the Wild Oats XI navigator made the call to Race Control and read from the Sailing Instruction 44.1 paragraphs to the Radio Relay vessel PBW via HF radio and received acknowledgement before returning to course.
The Jury dismissed the Protest from the Race Commitee and also the one against Ran.
As a result Wild Oats XI has been confirmed as line honours winner of the 2010 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race, for the fifth time.
There will be a 4.30 pm dockside presentation in Hobart of the line honours trophy and Rolex Yacht-Master watch to the winning crew of Wild Oats XI.
Full details of the ruling will follow.
Wild Oats XI sailed up the Derwent River and crossed the finish line off Constitution Wharf at 2037 AEDT last night with an elapsed time of two days, seven hours, 37 minutes, 20 seconds - since leaving Sydney Harbour at 1300 on 26 December, Boxing Day.
This year’s 66th edition was one of Wild Oats Xl physically most difficult. In an interview as he stepped off the winning vessel, skipper Mark Richards said,' 'It was a tough race, no doubt about that. The boat Wild Oats, the boys, and the team did a fantastic job.'
After sailing a near perfect tactical race in extremely difficult conditions, with a 40 knot southerly and a mountainous seaway during the first night, race favourite Wild Oats XI didn’t disappoint followers.
Wild Oats XI skipper Mark Richards was happy with the race and happy with the outcome of the protest hearing.
He said, 'We couldn’t have asked for a better result. To arrive here, first, in Hobart, is the most amazing feeling.'
Referring to Oats’ second place finish of last year, Richards said, 'First is a hell of a lot better than second. We’re back and we’re just very happy to be here.'
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