Sydney-Hobart 2017

Yes it's truly a shame for Wild Oats. They were on the heels of Comanche most of the race and Mother Nature handed her line honors. Off were the champagne corks (FF 2:39). Everybody soaked with booze....all the euphoric celebrating.

BOOM. Reality hits. They broke the rules. 2nd place.

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What Wild Oats did was reckless. They could have 1) cleared Comanche, 2) tacked a boat length earlier, or 3) done the 720 turns for exoneration.
They did neither. They got what they deserved.

 

Alas, this is yet another anxious decision that occurred in a crowded harbor at race start. We see them just about every year time and again at the big races. For the longer races like this all the harbor jousting is for naught. If they would only just stay clear of other boats and get on with the bloody race. All other factors remaining the same, had Wild Oats done that she would have been victorious. Big lesson learned. Skipper Mark Richards said they would "take it on the chin". At least he's being a good sport about it.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-12-28/sydney-to-hobart-yacht-race-protest-decision/9290158

 

I will always remember this race-the incredibly poor judgement and incredibly good sailing-and the crew will always remember that regardless of the protest Wild Oats beat Comanche for the second time.

 

Wild Oats was reckless. I think it was a wise choice by the IJ. Feel bad that such a great finish is marred by a bad start, but Wild Oats XI could have just done their turn, but didn't think it was worth it. A second major mistake.

 

Did a bit of research on the incident. Protest was under Rule 13 (copy of Protest attached ).



Good explanation of the principle here.

US Sailing Blog: Dave Perry's Racing Rules Quiz of the Week http://ussailing.blogspot.com.au/2014/09/dave-perrys-racing-rules-quiz-of-week.html?m=0

 

Sydney-Hobart 2017 summary :

 

Great summary of race clips. The clipper rigged sloop at 6:10 looks like a hoot to sail. ⛵️

 

Yes, her skipper used to race an Open 60 and then a canting keel supermaxi. He decided that boats that needed their engines to sail were not for him, so now he concentrates on the gaffer and a tri. It's pretty sensible - after all, the canting supermaxis are still far slower than a multi all else being equal so if speed is what counts, the canters are not very logical.