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  • Wild Oats XI smashes 13 year old Audi Sydney Gold Coast Race record

Wild Oats XI smashes 13 year old Audi Sydney Gold Coast Race record

Wild Oats XI smashes 13 year old Audi Sydney Gold Coast Race record

Wild Oats XI smashes 13 year old Audi Sydney Gold Coast Race record

It was a case of third time lucky for Mark Richards and his crew on Bob Oatley’s 100ft super maxi, Wild Oats XI, which this morning annihilated Brindabella’s Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race record, slicing 5 hours 31 minutes 57 seconds of the 27 hours 35 minutes 43 seconds 13 year-old record set in 1999.

It was a case of third time lucky for Mark Richards and his crew on Bob Oatley’s 100ft super maxi, Wild Oats XI, which this morning annihilated Brindabella’s Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race record, slicing 5 hours 31 minutes 57 seconds of the 27 hours 35 minutes 43 seconds 13 year-old record set in 1999.

Wild Oats XI crossed the Main Beach, Southport finish line at 11.03.46 am in the time of 22 hours three minutes and forty six seconds.

Wild Oats XI took the race line honours in both 2010 and 2011; the latter in one day 18hr 11min 27sec – well outside the record – when they were frustrated by light and moderate breezes.        

This time around, the conditions played right into the hands of the Wild Oats XI crew, and a record chase was on from the outset. Downwind and off the breeze winds, mainly in the 15-25 knot range, drove Wild Oats XI relentlessly to a third line honours victory and the record.

Richards and his class crew led the race from the get-go, when the Sydney skipper timed the start perfectly and faultless crew work added to the occasion as they powered off the Sydney Harbour start line in clear air and ahead of the rest in the 63 boat fleet.

Black Jack, Peter Harburg’s RP66 from Queensland is the next yacht due to finish, at approximately 2.10pm, followed by Stephen Ainsworth’s RP63 Loki at approximately 2.55pm – both also inside the record. It will mean a clean top three line honours sweep for Reichel/Pugh designed yachts. 

We will update media outlets with all the news when the Wild Oats XI crew arrives at Southport Yacht Club and we are able to interview them.

Follow the race action on http://goldcoast.cyca.com.au or on Twitter http://twitter.com/asgcyr

By Di Pearson, CYCA Event Media