The 2009 Rolex Sydney Hobart regatta is scheduled to start at 1 pm on December 26 which coincides with Boxing Day. The kind of preparations carried on by Bob Oatley’s Wild Oats XI can be quite intimidating for the rest of the teams. The team has already completed its intense 24-hour sailing trial off Sydney and looks like there’s no stopping them as they head out to the waters the very morning of their return. Wild Oats XI wants to keep up its record of winning top line honors at the Rolex Sydney-Hobart Race yet again and not give any other team even a chance to get close.
Bob Oatley’s 30.48 meter long supermaxi has been modified for the regatta this year to make it lighter along with increasing the speed. The entire winter was spent by the Wild Oats XI team to incorporate modifications that would make the 30.48 meter supermaxi more efficient and the yacht has been lengthened by half a meter. The team set a record in 2005 by completing the course in 1 day 18 hours 40 minutes and 10 seconds, which stands unbroken till date. After completing the 200 nautical mile test which was also recognized as Wild Oats XI’s offshore qualifier the team skipper Mark Richards declared the team ready for the race on Boxing Day.
Wild Oats XI has sailed the 628 nautical mile course to Hobart and conquered it four consecutive times for line honors. This year will see them going for the fifth consecutive line honors in the strongest ever challenge the team has ever faced. Mark Richards stated that the test session was the most exciting and productive time he had on the waters ever since the modifications had taken effect. The team came ashore on Thursday morning at the Woolwich Dock on Sydney Harbour. When the team took off on Wednesday the 2nd of December, the waters were not easy on them as they had to deal with a big swell that was coming out of the south. The team had to initially push the boat to its limit by sailing upwind and treating it as a race to Hobart in a strong southerly wind. The yacht also went airborne off a few waves and yet came unscathed to the team’s delight.
Mark Richards and the rest of Wild Oats XI crew were in no mood to rest as they geared up to test the new and larger mainsails and headsail that was especially delivered overnight for the Hobart race. The team members have also been reduced from 24 to 18 for the race and it comes as the right choice at the right time as the smaller team was able to complete every sail change and maneuver to perfection. Wild Oats XI is testing and reevaluating all its modifications as it faces the toughest ever contest to defend its crown. The new generation sails were tested on the waters and were checked for shapes as well as setting angels. The Rolex Sydney Hobart race is spectacle each year and with the modifications as well as more competitive teams sailing at the 2009 regatta will give something extraordinary to look forward to this year.
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SOURCE;
Vanessa Puzio
Melrose Jewelers
