SYDNEY (AP) — Favored supermaxi Wild Oats XI, winner of line honors four of the past five years, led a fleet of 87 yachts out of Sydney Harbour in the start of the annual Sydney to Hobart race.
Wild Oats XI sailed between Sydney Heads and into open ocean, facing favorable light wind as it began making its way down the New South Wales coast. The fleet was expected to be hit by a gusty southerly change later Sunday that would slow the boats and make a race record unlikely.
Wild Oats XI set the record of 1 day, 18 hours, 40 minutes, in 2005. The 628-nautical-mile race is being held for the 66th time. Alfa Romeo, the winner last year, isn’t competing.
