A lightning fast and very professional response by the highly experienced crew aboard the supermaxi Wild Oats XI when its mast failed at the weekend saved the yacht from the likelihood of considerably more damage. The 30-metre long sloop, which is recognised as the most successful yacht in the 75-year history of Rolex Sydney Hobart race, went close to being dismasted while leading the fleet in the 180-nautical mile Cabbage Tree Island race out of Sydney on Friday night. The yacht was two hours into the race when a solid splintering sound signalled that the 45-metre high carbon fibre mast had fractured at deck level. The mast then tilted at an alarming angle and threatened to crash over the side….