Wild Oats XI triumphed at the 65th Rolex Sydney Hobart Race and it has been made official. The favorites from the beginning were the first to cross the finish line of this action packed extravaganza. This is the fifth title win for Wild Oats XI. Late into Tuesday the 100 foot supermaxi won by beating the rest of the 86 participants in the race. Wild Oats XI completed their run of a daunting 628 nautical miles in two days and eight hours, approximately.

Soon after the win a protest followed over an alleged radio breach and the crew of Wild Oats XI had to wait till Wednesday to be announced the champions. The jury dismissed the allegations and Wild Oats XI was declared the winner of the 2010 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. In their statement, the jury officials confirmed Wild Oats XI as the Line Honors winner of the event.

The protest was lodged on late Tuesday by the committee against Wild Oats XI and British participant Ran on the grounds that the mandatory guideline on radio reporting was not followed. The rule was laid after the 1998 incident, which saw the death of six sailors. The officials of the race committee of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race alleged that Wild Oats XI failed to report the crossing of the Bass Strait through the operational radio and reported to officials via telephone which was against procedures.

Wild Oats skipper Mark Richards on late Tuesday claimed that the crew had followed all the listed guidelines and reported the position of the boat as required. While addressing the media on Tuesday Mark Richards claimed that they are the winners of the race and was very confident about the dismissal of baseless allegations. He in his address claimed that Wild Oats XI had some of the best available yachtsmen on board and they always made sure that everything from the book was followed.

Mark Richards said that there could be no doubt that Wild Oats XI would have left Green Cape without making sure that they had followed all the legitimate guidelines and sailing instructions.

Officials later confirmed that a dockside presentation will take place in Hobart on Wednesday to honor the winners with the winning trophy of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.

The Rolex Sydney Hobart Race this year was filled with challenges as the weather conditions were stiff. More and more yachts are still making their way into Hobart long after the winners have crossed the finish line. Investec Loyal, skippered by Sean Longman was the second to report to the finish line. Investec Loyal took three and a half hours more than Wild Oats XI due to dropped out winds. On the third place was Lahana. It gave the leaders competition for more than 600 nautical miles, but had to settle by finishing third after its experience with the drop in breeze. So far out of the 87-strong fleet that started the race together 17 have retired facing the challenges of the sea leaving the race open for other 60 contenders.

Tags: Investec Loyal, Mark Richards, Ran, Rolex, Rolex Sydney Hobart, Wild Oats XI

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