This year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race has been a huge success for the Reichel/Pugh-designed yachts, including the majestic 100-foot Supermaxi yacht Wild Oats XI. Sailing yacht Wild Oats XI has claimed her eighth line honours in the race.
Reichel/Pugh designed Supermaxi yacht WILD OATS XI (AUS) on the way to her eighth Line Honours victory - Photo by Rolex/Carlo Borlenghi
100’ Wild Oats XI – 1st to Finish – 8th Line Honors Win In 10 Years – Bob Oatley
40′ Chutzpah – 1st IRC Division 2 – 2nd Overall in fleet IRC – 2nd ORCi Division 2 – Bruce Taylor
52′ Scarlet Runner – 1st in Division 1 ORCi – 2nd Division 1 IRC – Robert Date
Robert Oatley’s Reichel/Pugh designed and McConaghy Boats-built 100’ Canting Keel Super Maxi yacht WILD OATS XI has claimed the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race line honours for an eighth time in ten years at 15.03.26 hours today, in the time of two days two hours three minutes and 26 seconds. This goes down in the race’s 70 year history as the only yacht to ever achieve this amazing feat. Last year, Wild Oats XI matched the efforts of Morna/Kurrewa IV, the holder of seven line honours titles during the 1950’s and her last in 1960.
“The boys did a wonderful job in overcoming superyacht Comanche which led for the first night. I can’t believe I’m standing here today,” skipper Mark Richards said. “To win a Hobart is a great honour, but to win line honours for an eighth time – I’m so proud.” RSHYR media reported that Bob Oatley was effusive dockside as his yacht was brought to the dock by the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania escort vessel: “It’s a miracle – and we will be back next year, yes, we’ll definitely be back next year,” a clearly emotional Oatley said. “She is the best boat in the world – she’s proved that.”
Reichel/Pugh’s Sydney-Hobart History
Reichel/Pugh designed Maxis have taken First to Finish in 9 out of the last 10 editions of the race and currently hold the elapsed time record of 1 day 18 hours, 23 minutes and 12 seconds. Since 1996 RP Maxis have taken Line Honours 10 times including a record 4 times in a row by 100’ super yacht Wild Oats XI in 2005-2008. Wild Oats XI has taken Line Honours a record 8 times in ten years (2005-2014), beaten by Reichel/Pugh-designed 100′ superyacht Alfa Romeo in 2009. The Current Race Record was set in 2012 by 100’ Wild Oats XI beating the previous record Wild Oats XI set in 2005.
2013 – 100’ Wild Oats XI – 1st to Finish – B. Oatley – 7th Line Honors Win In 9 Years
2012 – 100’ Wild Oats XI – 1st to Finish/1st Overall in Fleet/Overall Winner Corrected Time – Bob Oatley (Trifecta Win and Course Record Set: 1 day 18 hours, 23 minutes and 12 seconds)
2012 – 63’ Mini-Maxi Loki – 2nd Overall & 1st Division 1 – Stephen Ainsworth
2012 – 66’ delete ‘pocket’ Mini Maxi Black Jack – 3rd Overall & 1st Overall ORCi – Peter Harburg
2011 – 63’ Mini-Maxi Loki – 1st Overall – Stephen Ainsworth
2010 – 100’ Wild Oats XI – 1st to Finish – Bob Oatley (Record 5 times Line Honors)
2010 – 51’ Secret Men’s Business 3.5 – 1st Overall – Geoff Boettcher
2009 – 100’ Alfa Romeo – 1st to Finish – Neville Crichton
2009 – 100’ Wild Oats XI – 2nd to Finish – Bob Oatley
2008 – 100’ Wild Oats XI – 1st to Finish – Bob Oatley (Record 4 times in a row Line Honors)
2007 – 100’ Wild Oats XI – 1st to Finish – Bob Oatley
2006 – 100’ Wild Oats XI – 1st to Finish – Bob Oatley
2005 – 100’ Wild Oats XI – 1st to Finish/1st Overall in Fleet/Overall Winner Corrected Time – Bob Oatley (Trifecta Win and Course Record Set: 1 day, 18 hours, 40 minutes and 10 seconds)
2005 – 100’ Alfa Romeo – 2nd to Finish & 2nd on Corrected Time in Fleet – Neville Crichton
2002 – 90’ Alfa Romeo – 1st to Finish – Neville Crichton
1996 – 80’ Morning Glory – 1st to Finish – Dr. Hasso Plattner (Course Record Set: 2 days, 14 hours, 7 minutes, 10 seconds)
Below is a choice of the stylish charter yachts with design by Reichel/Pugh:
