After winning Sydney to Hobart Race, sailing team faces disqualification

Hobart, Australia (AHN Sports) – Wild Oats XI once again ruled the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race Tuesday, but the famous multi-winner of the ‘blue water classic’ faces disqualification for allegedly violating radio protocols.

Organizers declared Wild Oats’ fifth line honors win provisional pending a protest hearing Wednesday regarding a breach of race radio protocols.

The state-of-the-art 100 ft. (30m) maxi yacht, skippered by Mark Richards, crossed the finish line off Hobart’s Constitution Dock 2 days, 7 hours, 37 minutes, 20 seconds after leaving Sydney.

Wild Oats, with Adrienne Cahalan and Ian Burns as co-navigators, allegedly broke rule 44.1 which requires all yachts to report in at set times or positions.

A similar protest was lodged against the British yacht Rán.

In the 2007 race, Wild Oats registered its third consecutive triumph, equaling the 59-year old record of Morna.

It shattered that record by winning an unprecedented fourth Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in 2008.

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