Leopard keen for Wild Oats XI rematch
Sydney to Hobart line honours runner-up City Index Leopard is keen to get another crack at Australia's victorious Wild Oats XI in Europe next year.
The imposing new British boat finished just 27minutes 23seconds behind its Australian rival last Friday, when Wild Oats XI clinched a record equalling line honours hat-trick.
By late Sunday afternoon, almost 60 of the 79 boats had reached Hobart.
Leopards owner Mike Slade finally got one back over the Aussies, albeit those in his own crew, and on the cricket field rather than on the water.
Playing at Hobart's Queenborough Oval, the English and other nationalities from the 26 man crew beat a selection of their 12 Australian crewmates, who were boosted by a guest appearance from former Australian Test batsman David Boon, a friend of the family of Leopard crewman Josh Clark.
City Index Leopard will head to Antigua and will contest a number of major events in the next European summer among them the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup staged from September 1-6 in Porto Cervo, Italy.
Slade's newly launched boat wasn't at last year's Cup but Wild Oats XI did compete in the prestigious annual seven race series.
The Australian boat finished second across the line to Alfa Romeo in race one of this year's series but lost her mast in the second, which prompted a dash to get another one built in time for the Sydney to Hobart.
Wild Oats XI owner Bob Oatley wouldn't be drawn on whether he would send his boat back to Italy for another crack at the series, which draws several of the worlds best big boats.
"It's too early to make those decisions," Oatley told AAP.
Slade's Australian-born boat captain Chris Sherlock wanted to see Wild Oats XI in Porto Cervo.
"I hope they do go," Sherlock said.
"Ideally wed have Skandia, Maximus, Wild Oats Alfa Romeo and ourselves all at the Maxi Cup this year.
"I think there was only seven boats in the Racing class once Wild Oats dropped out there wasn't much competition for Alfa.
"We don't want to be in that same position. Alfa Romeo is up for sale and it would be a real shame if it wasn't at Porto Cervo along with Wild Oats."
Sherlock doubted City Index Leopard would return to Australia for another crack at the Sydney to Hobart.
"We'd love to do it next year but unfortunately it does cost half a million pounds to bring boats down and then back to Europe, and then by the time its older, it won't be competitive," Sherlock said.
Sherlock, who has been Slade's right hand man on his three maxi yachts over the last 16 years, regarded Wild Oats XI as the best maxi he had sailed on or against over that time.
"In my view the top three boats are Wild Oats XI, Alfa Romeo and Leopard," Sherlock said.
"Alpha and Oats are pretty much on a par. I guess after this event, you'd have to say Oats has edged a little bit ahead having won three Hobarts."
A number of divisional winners in the Sydney to Hobart were confirmed on Sunday.
They included Quantum Racing (IRC div A), Rosebud (IRC div B), Chutzpah (IRC division C) and Sailors with disabilities (PHS div A).
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