The Wild boats take line
honours and overall win

Roger Hickman’s Wild Rose was declared the overall winner of the 2014 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. The 29-year-old boat was Bob Oatley’s first Wild Oats. In a record-breaking eighth win, Oatley’s current racer, Wild Oats XI, took line honours in two days, two hours and three minutes, with the valiant Comanche following her over the line 49 minutes later.

They were followed by Ragamuffin. Rio 100, Black Jack and Alive.

Wild Rose completed the race in three days, seven hours, four minutes, winning the IRC division and the IRC veterans 20 years division to take the overall prize.

Fourteen boats withdrew from the race. In addition to Giacomo and Wedgetail who were both dismasted on the evening of 28 December, these were Perpetual Loyal, Brindabella, Sextant, Tina of Melbourne, Triton, Occasional Coarse Language Too, Bear Necessity, Willyama, A Cunning Plan and Last Tango, Chancellor and Landfall.

Wild Oats XI skipper Mark Richards was never complacent about his chances, particularly following Comanche’s fast exit from Sydney Harbour. Speaking after the race he said he knew he had it won only “about two seconds before the finish line”.

Comanche leads the fleet out of the Heads.

Comanche, Wild Oats XI, Ragamuffin and Perpetual Loyal head south.

Perpetual Loyal tacks.

The rest of the fleet follows the maxis out of the Heads.

The 2014 race fleet was one of the largest in recent history, with five super-maxis and 10 international entries contesting the 628 nautical mile challenge.