Intro:

Wild Oats XI won the Sydney to Hobart yacht race for a record eighth time on Sunday (28 December).

Script:

Wild Oats XI took line honours in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race for a record eighth time on Sunday, holding out a late challenge from American super-maxi Comanche in its big race debut.

Australian-owned Wild Oats crossed the finish line to complete the 70th edition of the blue water classic in a time of 2 days, 2 hours and 2 minutes.

The 100 foot super maxi, owned by winemaker Bob Oatley, has taken the honours in the race eight times in ten years.

Comanche had led from the start of the race on Friday, however, Wild Oats took the lead early on Saturday morning.

The Bass Strait area is believed to be where Wild Oats overtook Comanche - as Comanche was stalled by an atmospheric ridge.

Comanche, owned by Jim Clark and Kristy Hinze Clark and skippered by Ken Read, was listed as having about 10 nautical miles to sail when Wild Oats XI crossed the finish line off Battery Point in Hobart just after 3pm local time.

Another American super maxi, Rio 100, was in third place about 120 nautical miles behind Comanche and just ahead of Australia's Black Jack and Alive.