Wild Oats out

Disaster for record breaking maxi in Rolex Sydney Hoboart

Bob Oatley's record holding, eight time Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race line honours victor Wild Oats XI, has retired from the race after reporting a torn mainsail. The Mark Richards skippered boat is returning to Sydney.

Shortly after 10.10pm the news was received that Pierre Gal’s CEX Dolce had broken her mast and was also returning to Sydney. All on board both yachts are safe.

The front half of the fleet in the CYCA’s annual 628 mile Boxing Day race south was feeling the brunt of a stiff southerly, with Ichi Ban’s navigator, Will Oxley, reporting gusts of up to 43 knots . The southerly will filter to the smaller yachts during the night.