A weather forecast for the Rolex Sydney Hobart race issued early today was ringing alarm bells to the point today where Iain Murray, the tactician aboard Bob and Sandy Oatley’s supermaxi Wild Oats XI, suggested the start of the race might have to be delayed if it proved correct. The outlook for Bass Strait, which was the scene of the tragedy in the 1998 Hobart Race, was, according to one of the computer generated weather models, likely to see howling south-westerly headwinds of up to 40 knots, and powerful, breaking seas. By late today that outlook was not as bad, but according to highly respected yachting meteorologist, Roger Badham, nothing was certain; the real prognosis would not be known until…

Supermaxi yacht, Wild Oats XI – the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race record holder – will be lifted from the water at 7.30am tomorrow (Tuesday) for final hull preparations prior to the race start on Boxing Day. This is the first opportunity to see the recently modified hull in its full racing configuration. The 30-metre long yacht will be re-launched at 9.30am Wednesday.   Event: Wild Oats XI being lifted from the water When: 7.30am, Tuesday, December 22 Where: Woolwich Dock, Clarke Road, Woolwich Contact: Rob Mundle, Media Manager, Wild Oats XI. Ph 0417 323 573

Supermaxi yacht Wild Oats XI, owned by Bob Oatley AO and his son Sandy, is “locked, loaded and ready to go” in the Rolex Sydney Hobart race according to skipper, Mark Richards, following the big boat’s final training session off Sydney. Yet, while the 30-metre long offshore racer stands as favourite for being first to finish in the 628 nautical mile classic that starts on Boxing Day, Richards knows it is not going to be easy to achieve a record ninth line honours in 11 starts. “Our opposition, particularly Comanche, aren’t racing to come second,” Richards said. “That yacht, and the other big American entry, Rambler 88, are here for one reason: to claim top honours. And you can’t discount…