Wild Oats XI has smashed the Sydney to Hobart race record to win its ninth title, beating Comanche to the line in the closest finish in decades.
Comanche reached the River Derwent a few minutes ahead of Wild Oats XI but both were becalmed in the notoriously slow last leg.
The lighter Wild Oats XI was able to find more speed upriver to cross the line just minutes ahead of Comanche.
Skippered by Mark Richards, Wild Oats XI crossed the line about 9:50pm Wednesday night in a time of 1 day, 8 hours, 48 minutes and 50 seconds.
That was about four hours and 40 minutes faster than the record set last year by Perpetual LOYAL, who crossed the line at 2:31am.
This morning it was Comanche's race as it led the field down the east coast of Tasmania with Wild Oats XI trailing by about 20 nautical miles.
By the afternoon the two boats were neck and neck, charging down the coast at up to 30 knots, care of a stiff north-easterly.
Wild Oats XI overtook Comanche before the lead chopped and changed as they rounded Tasman Island and made for the Derwent.
There they ground to a near halt but the lighter boat made the most of its advantage and opened a winning lead.
Wild Oats XI's winning margin could be eroded by a time penalty if a protest lodged by Comanche following a near-collision on Sydney Harbour is upheld.
More to come.
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