The jibes and gybes have already started between Sydney to Hobart line honours rivals Wild Oats XI and Comanche, after just one race.
Wild Oats XI took line honours in Tuesday's Big Boat Challenge on Sydney Harbour, winning by almost one-and-a-half minutes from second-placed Comanche, in the American boat's first race since her launch in October.
Comanche skipper Ken Read declared himself very pleased with both his boat and crew's performance in the unfavourable light breeze, while his Wild Oats XI counterpart Mark Richards was impressed by the foreign challenger's speed.
Sitting next to each other at the post-race press conference, Read and Richards, engaged in some witty banter,
When Richards said his boat's performance showed she still had some legs left, Read wasn't falling for his rival's patter about the Australian yacht's age.
"'Ricko' (Richards) has already pulled that `oh, we're ten years old'," Read said.
Richards responded immediately saying "I was happy for the Australian Navy to buy your boat before Boxing Day!"
Read praised the Oats team for their friendliness at Woolwich Dock, where the two boats are parked next to each other.
He quickly discovered the hospitality didn't extend to the start line on Tuesday, when Richards got the better of Comanche as the two super maxis jockeyed for the best position.
"He lined me up from the start, so we owe `Ricko' one," Read said
"I thought it was just a nice friendly `come to Australia,' but no, I learnt that the hard way."
Read did have a playful pop at Richards about the fact Comanche beat the legendary Australian yacht on corrected time.
"We kinda kicked your arse to be be honest, by almost a minute," Read said.
Share
