The Solas Big Boat Challenge, a 14-mile maxi yacht race, was held in Sydney, Australia. The event marked the first time the main contenders for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race trophy, which will start in Sydney Harbour on 26 December, could be seen and judged in action.
The lack of strong winds and rough seas helped the newly modified Wild Oats XI get off to a flying start, easily outpacing her bigger competitors, the Ragamuffin 100 and Perpetual Loyal.
But as the Aussies turned their huge Code Zero sail to leeward towards Fort Denison, the distance between the maxi began to grow rapidly. At the finish line Wild Oats XI beat Rambler 88 by 3 minutes and 50 seconds.
Mark Richards, skipper of the winning boat, said she had benefited from the upgrade. The 30-meter Wild Oats XI had her bow lengthened from 11.5 to 13.5 meters and her stern shortened by 2 meters to fit the Rolex Sydney Hobart Race rules, which allow for a maximum size of 100 feet.
