After being the centre of attention for four frenetic months, Rolex Sydney Hobart Race record holder, Wild Oats XI, was lying idle at Sydney’s Woolwich Dock this afternoon like a thoroughbred waiting to be called to the start. There was no activity on or around the yacht. Instead the crew and support team were at the start of a two day period of rest, relaxation and Christmas celebrations with family and friends. “We’ve never been this well prepared this early in any one of our ten previous Hobart race campaigns,” said Skipper, Mark Richards. “We’ve ticked every box on the checklist, so now we can enjoy time with our families, wait and watch the evolving weather forecast.” Three days out…

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