Wild Oats XI won the battle to be first through Sydney Heads but rival supermaxi Perpetual LOYAL is flying a protest flag after an eventful start to the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
Perpetual LOYAL appeared to have the inside running to the first mark, but Wild Oats XI got there first.
There was suggestions that Perpetual LOYAL may have got confused about which turning buoy it had to round and also that more than one of the early leaders rounded the wrong mark.
It wasn't immediately clear why Perpetual LOYAL protested though it may have been they thought Wild Oats XI illegally took their line at the first mark.
The fleet of 94 was reduced by one within the first half hour as 50-footer Queensland entry Audi Sunshine Coast retired with rig damage.
It was a picture postcard start on a sunny day on Sydney Harbour, as the big supermaxis staged an enthralling early duel in 15 to 18 knot southerly winds.
Wild Oats XI, Perpetual LOYAL and a third super maxi, Ragamuffin 100, were away the fastest.
Six-time line honours winner Wild Oats XI and race debutant Perpetual LOYAL quickly broke away.
Wild Oats XI went through the Heads first, followed by brand new 80-foot Hong Kong boat, Beau Geste, then Perpetual LOYAL.
The 1997 line honours winner, maxi Brindabella, broke the start and had to turn back and go around again.
The Jim Delegat-owned Giacomo is the leading New Zealand entry, while Olympic silver medallists Peter Burling and Blair Tuke are on Pretty Fly III and super-maxi Zefiro.
New Zealand-born pair Murray Owen and Jenny Kings also tackle the race on their Sydney 46 Art Equity Mahligai.
