Wild Oats XI wins Gold Coast race

Her fist race back in six months, and champion yacht Wild Oats XI has shown again why she's the country’s most successful yacht.

In mild conditions, the Sydney to Gold Coast race was never going to see a record time posted, but Wild Oats XI under the guidance of skipper Mark Richards claimed the title again with consummate  ease. Although the race took two days to complete because of the light breeze (two days, one minute and 16 seconds to be precise), the race served as a good hit out for Wild Oats XI and her crew ahead of Audi Hamilton Island Race Week and then the Rolex Sydney Hobart classic on Boxing Day.

“The Sydney to Gold Coast race was an excellent light weather test for the crew and the yacht,” said skipper Mark Richards after completing the race. “We are using these races north, and Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, as an important part of our preparation for this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart race. Apart from modifying the hull late last year, we have now made significant changes to the rig so we need to put the yacht to the test in all conditions, and on all points of sailing.”

But before AHIRW, Wild Oats XI will take on another challenge and the conditions are shaping up to be markedly different for this race than for the Gold Coast run. 

Starting on Friday morning, the 348 nautical mile Brisbane to Keppel race (from Moreton Bay to Yeppoon) looks as though it will be sailed in 20 to 30 know winds, which could see Wild Oats XI best her own race record of 24 hours, 22 minutes and 20 seconds.

To do that, Richards and his crew of 19 will need to average 14 knots for the distance, but that’s something she is more than capable of achieving according to Richards.

Come AHIRW and it’s a fair bet that Wild Oats XI will have two more titles to her name and will be hungry to add that regatta to her growing list.