LDV Comanche is the new line honours winner of the Sydney to Hobart after "successfully protesting against Wild Oats XI after a near collision" between the two yachts just outside Sydney Heads on Tuesday, according to James Buckley of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Wild Oats XI was penalized an hour for the infringement, "enough to wipe away the 26 minutes and 34 second winning margin it had when it crossed the finish line" on Wednesday. A protest hearing, lasting more than three hours, decided the 73rd Sydney to Hobart and "denies Wild Oats XI" a ninth line honours win. The result of the protest "voids Wild Oats XI's race record which goes to LDV Comanche in a time of one day, nine hours, 15 minutes and 24 seconds." The five-person int'l jury found Wild Oats XI "was at fault for the near collision and failed to keep clear of LDV Comanche while tacking." LDV Comanche "had led for most of the race" but was overhauled by Wild Oats XI just south of Opossum Bay. Wild Oats XI skipper Mark Richards said, "We're very disappointed but we're also good sports and we'll have to take this one on the chin. At the end of the day it's a yacht race. Has someone been run over or told you've got cancer? No, it's a yacht race" (SMH, 12/28).
