Wild Oats XI skipper Mark Richards has strongly rejected suggestions his yacht exceeds the legal length for a Sydney to Hobart super maxi.
Australian Sailing re-examined the vessel following the release last month of David Salter's book Ragamuffin Man; The World of Syd Fischer, and concluded Wild Oats XI was still operating within the rules.
![Wild ride: Wild Oats XI races in the Big Boat Challenge on Sydney Harbour.](http://web.archive.org./web/20170704231328im_/https://www.fairfaxstatic.com.au/content/dam/images/g/t/d/8/x/k/image.related.articleLeadwide.620x349.gtblnb.png/1482403326941.jpg)
Salter's book questions last year's modification of Wild Oats XI, suggesting its newly designed bow extends the super maxi beyond the competitive legal length.
Sydney to Hobart eligibility laws state "A boat shall have an overall length (LOA) not more than 30.48 metres" and "the overall hull length (LOA) of any yacht – measured from stern to stern – can be no more than 100 feet".
When Wild Oats XI was measured last year following its $2 million modification it was found to be at the legal limit of 100 feet in length.
Richards quashed allegations before last year's race that his yacht was too long and was quick to shrug them off in the lead-up to this year's contest where his crew are chasing a ninth line honours victory in the yacht.
"This is this boat's 12th year, we have a great track record, we've done everything by the book, we've had certain things thrown at us but we always come out clean," Richards said.
"We sail to the rules.
"People just need to pull their heads in and accept it for what it is. The rules are the rules.
"It's sour grapes. No one's come down here with a tape measure and said, 'Look it's 105 feet'.
"We're innovators, we evolve. Look at what we've done with Wild Oats over the years. All of our changes are run by the authority before we even think about doing them. Why? Because they cost a lot of money to do. You're not going to go and change a boat that makes it illegal."
Salter writes in his book that claims made last year after the design of the new bow, which includes a permanently attached bowsprit supported by a curved extension from the top half of the stem, makes the true hull length of Wild Oats greater than the 30.48-metre (100-foot) limit set for Sydney-Hobart entrants.
The relevant rule defines a bowsprit as "a spar attached to the hull". The bowsprit on the new bow of Wild Oats XI appears to be integral to the hull and not detachable.
In his book, Salter also reports claims that the "working deck" area of Wild Oats XI extends beyond the allowable 100-feet limit.
Naval architect Andrew Dovell, who redesigned Ragamuffin before the 2014 Sydney to Hobart, has also questioned Wild Oats XI's interpretation of the rules.
"They've got a legal interpretation that allows them to have built what they've built and they're certainly in compliance with the rules," Dovell said.
"​I'm not calling Wild Oats cheaters, nothing could be further from the truth. I just disagree with the interpretation."
The Wild Oats XI crew will line up in Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day desperate to erase the memory of last year's failed finish when a torn mainsail ended their race.
They will be armed with the ORCi and IRC racing certificates required to compete in each handicap division and the backing of Australian Sailing and the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, organisers of the Sydney to Hobart.
"Australian Sailing does not agree with David Salter's view," Australian Sailing president Matt Allen said.
"We've reviewed it all, reviewed the modifications of the working deck area, the measurement of the stem of the boat, which is one of the key measurements in ascertaining the LOA. Our view is that it complies.
"There is a series of modifications that have occurred to the yacht. From our perspective, we can't see that there are any issues with the boat in terms of a measurement sense or whether it complies in that area with the notice of race."
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