Protest Overshadows New Sydney-Hobart Records
Ocean Navigator|March/April 2018

WILD OATS XI SET A NEW COURSE RECORD IN THE 73RD running of the Rolex Sydney to Hobart race, knocking nearly five hours off the previous mark. But the skipper and crew aboard the supermaxi barely had time to celebrate the win.

Alan Littell
Protest Overshadows New Sydney-Hobart Records

Race organizers stripped Wild Oats of line honors following a protest by initial runner-up Comanche. The protest stemmed from a near collision between the two yachts shortly after departing Sydney, Australia, the day before.

An international jury cited Wild Oats for failing to keep clear while tacking, Reuters reported. The panel issued a one-hour penalty against Wild Oats, which completed the 629nm course in one day, eight hours, 48 minutes and 50 seconds — some 26 minutes ahead of Comanche.

Wild Oats’ adjusted time was one day, nine hours, 48 minutes and 50 seconds, roughly 33 minutes behind Comanche, with a time of one day, nine hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds.

The penalty caused some controversy that spilled into social media, with some believing Wild Oats’ maneuver was legal and others suggesting the vessel made a clear error.

This story is from the March/April 2018 edition of Ocean Navigator.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

This story is from the March/April 2018 edition of Ocean Navigator.

Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.

MORE STORIES FROM OCEAN NAVIGATORView All
Stay Connected
Ocean Navigator

Stay Connected

Satellite phones have evolved a full ecosystem of gear and services

time-read
9 mins  |
July - August 2021
Respecting Paradise
Ocean Navigator

Respecting Paradise

Thoughts on voyaging responsibly

time-read
6 mins  |
July - August 2021
Yankee sails on
Ocean Navigator

Yankee sails on

The steel ketch Yankee in the Connecticut River.

time-read
3 mins  |
July - August 2021
TRANSPAC RACE PREP
Ocean Navigator

TRANSPAC RACE PREP

How a group of determined mostly military veterans built a race team

time-read
7 mins  |
July - August 2021
NOAA upgrades its global weather model
Ocean Navigator

NOAA upgrades its global weather model

More data and a better global weather model should make for improved weather distributed to users, like this temperature gradient map.

time-read
3 mins  |
July - August 2021
From North Sea fishing to Sea of Cortez voyaging
Ocean Navigator

From North Sea fishing to Sea of Cortez voyaging

The former Dutch fishing vessel turned power voyaging yacht Varnebank in Mexican waters.

time-read
4 mins  |
July - August 2021
Chatter Chartroom
Ocean Navigator

Chatter Chartroom

IN 2019, MY HUSBAND, DOUG PASNIK, AND I RACED OUR first Transpac together with a team of 10 on our Andrews 70, Trader, comprised primarily of military veterans (see story on page 22). This year we are doing the race again and inviting four mentees from The Magenta Project to race with us.

time-read
7 mins  |
July - August 2021
Doing it all with one screen
Ocean Navigator

Doing it all with one screen

The steering station on this Gunboat cat is equipped with large-screen B&G Zeus MFDs.

time-read
8 mins  |
May - June 2021
Don't scrimp when it comes to the crimp
Ocean Navigator

Don't scrimp when it comes to the crimp

Solid crimp connections make your power voyager’s electrical system more reliable.

time-read
5 mins  |
May - June 2021
Chartroom Chatter
Ocean Navigator

Chartroom Chatter

Maritime Publishing acquires Ocean Navigator

time-read
7 mins  |
May - June 2021