Bob Oatley’s Reichel/Pugh 66, Wild Oats X has joined her big sister, Wild Oats XI in the Channel Seven fold and will display her new mainsail and branding today at the 2008 SOLAS Big Boat Challenge hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia.
Launched in 2004, Wild Oats X confirmed her racing dominance by placing second in the Maxi Worlds in Porto Cervo 2004.
The following year, the yacht went on to win the 2005 Sydney to Coffs Harbour Regatta, where she also took out the race record. Later in the season Wild Oats X also claimed a home ground victory by winning the 2005 Hamilton Island Race Week. Also accrued to the yachts sailing portfolio is a trifecta of wins in the last three Audi Sydney Harbour Regattas.
“We are delighted about extending our relationship with Channel Seven and look forward to working with the network to increase mainstream media coverage on this terrific sport,” said Sandy Oatley, Chairman of Hamilton Island, Wild Oats XI and Wild Oats X.
“I really look forward to seeing both the Wild Oats X and XI alongside each other and also competing against each other on Sydney Harbour later today, it will be a great afternoon out there for everyone.
“This is the first time Wild Oats X and XI will compete against each other, which makes this a pretty big day for all involved with our sailing teams.
“The start list looks terrific and there will be plenty of on-course action when we come up against the likes of Skandia, Stephen Ainsworth’s recently launched Loki, as well as Ichi Ban and Black Jack to name just a few,” said Sandy Oatley.
Today’s regatta, Wild Oats X will be skippered by Iain Murray, with internationally renowned Sven Runow trimming the mainsail, whilst on the opposing Wild Oats XI, Mark Richards will be at the helm, with Adrienne Cahalan returning to her navigation station.
In the meantime, today’s regatta will be the second last time Sydneysiders get to see Wild Oats XI, the 98-foot-maxi yacht on Sydney Harbour before the yacht lines up for the start of this year’s Rolex Sydney Hobart, to be broadcast on Channel Seven from 12:30pm AEST on the 26 of December 2008.
"We are proud to have our brand and our company associated with Wild Oats X and Wild Oats XI," David Leckie, CEO, Seven Media Group.
Wild Oats X will commence her 2009 campaign in January at Skandia Geelong Week, one of Australia’s largest and most celebrated regattas.
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