New look boat, same old result.
The prime movers behind vastly modified supermaxi Wild Oats XI drew plenty of encouragement as their ten-year old yacht cruised to a convicting line honours win in the Big Boat Challenge on Sydney Harbour on Tuesday.
The eight-time Sydney to Hobart line honours champion cleared away from the fleet following the first mark to win in one hour two minutes and 23 seconds.
New American boat Rambler 88 (1:06:13) and Perpetual LOYAL (1:08:13) filled the minor placings..
It was the eighth time in ten years Wild Oats XI had taken line honours in the high profile,leadup event to the Sydney to Hobart starting on Boxing Day.
"The really pleasing thing is we've seen improvements across the board, everywhere," Wild Oats XI skipper Mark Richards said.
Co-owner Sandy Oatley certainly noticed a difference in his boat after taking a turn at the wheel on Tuesday.
"It was just unbelievable, there's a whole different feel to it," Oatley told AAP.
"i think we've brought into the next generation for that boat.
"Today was a very nervous day for us to see how it would go against the newer revolutionary boats ands we're very happy."
In the battle for the minor placings, it was a case of new Rambler beating old Rambler.
The 88-foot version finished ahead of LOYAL, formerly known as Rambler 100, which suffered extensive damage after capsizing in 2011.
Anthony Bell bought the boat and had it rebuilt and renamed it and Tuesday's race represented the first time it's original owner George David had raced against it.
"It was great to be out there side by side," David said.
"I was very impressed that Tony Bell put it back together."
Bell's run of outs in the Big Boat Challenge continued with a torn mainsail cable, but he was still very happy with the way the boat performed.
The 52-foot boat Chinese Whisper took handicap honours to firm as one of the favoured contenders for overall victory in the Sydney to Hobart.
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