When the going gets tough, the tough get going! It has been rated the toughest “Hobart” in 10 years, and once again Line Honours has been won by the McConaghy built sailing yacht Wild Oats XI, a Reichel Pugh 30m super maxi. This latest achievement by the Bob Oatley owned flyer, notches up its fifth victory in six years after surviving punishing gale force winds and sea conditions.

Mark Richards Skipper of Wild Oats X1, said that “the going was tough, the boat and crew revelled in these conditions”.

Sailing yacht WILD OATS XI - Five time Rolex Sydney to Hobart Line Honours Winner Photo credit Rolex Carlo Borlenghi

87 boats started the race, 18 boats retired with varying degrees of damage.

All three McConaghy Boats in the race came through with flying colours, finishing in the top ten. Wild Oats X1 1st, Loki 8th, Rodd & Gunn Wedgetail 9th (6th Place overall on Handicap).

SY LOKI - Stephen Ainsworth Photo credit Rolex Carlo Borlenghi

McConaghy Boats have now won seven out of the last nine races, Wild Oats X1 (5) Alfa Romeo (2) which is a testimony to the craftsmanship and skill which goes into every McConaghy Boat.                        

The Racing Supermaxi ALFA ROMEO (NZ) owned by Neville Crichton which won line honours in the 2009 Sydney to Hobart Race – Photo by Daniel Forster