Loyal milestone looks far from perpetual

I STILL THINK THE RECORD IS ON. WE SHOULD BE ON RECORD PACE TO TASMAN ISLAND AND IT IS WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THAT THAT MATTERS THE MOST.

WILD OATS TACTICIAN IAIN MURRAY

MEMBERS of the Wild Oats XI brains trust believe a race record is back on the menu in the 73rd Sydney to Hobart and have their sights on retaking it.

As the forecast for the race firms, Wild Oats tactician Iain Murray says there is huge potential for Perpetual Loyal’s 2016 mark of one day, 13 hours, 31 minutes and 20 seconds to be bettered this year.

And top yachting forecaster Roger Badham agrees.

“I still think the record is on,’’

said Murray, one of just five men aboard Wild Oats for all her eight line-honours wins, two race records and two overall wins.

“We should be on record pace to Tasman Island and it is what happens after that that matters the most.”

Key to winning the race – and potentially a record – is the wind or lack of it on the 11 nautical mile Derwent River finish straight.

Traditionally the breeze dies out from late in the evening to early morning, turning the river into a millpond. This is why Murray says the arrival time of the supermaxis here is crucial.

Badham said a record was a distinct possibility thanks to freshening winds on the east coast of Tasmania for the fleet giants.

“It’s fast. The record is on,” he said. “It’s going to be a very interesting race.”

This year sailors aged from 18 to 82 are contesting the race, which features 27 international yachts.

NSW yachts dominate with 46 in the fleet while Queensland boasts the next biggest at 13.