PROTEST AT NEAR-MISS

AUSTRALIAN supermaxi LDV Comanche has lodged a formal protest against fellow line-honours favourite Wild Oats XI after a near-miss between the yachts soon after the start of the 73rd Sydney to Hobart.

Comanche, which hoisted its protest flag after the incident, told race officials last night it would pursue a protest over what is believed to be a port/starboard right-ofway incident within an hour of the start of the race.

It is understood the Wild Oats crew, who have indicated they do not believe they have infringed any rule, could suffer a time penalty if found guilty. Comanche has six hours to file a protest after her arrival in Hobart, which will be heard by an international jury.

“We didn’t think there was an infraction,’’ Wild Oats XI navigator Ian “Fresh” Burns said yesterday. “We discussed the 720degree penalty and decided we didn’t need to under the circumstances.”

A fast reaction from America’s Cup-winning skipper James Spithill helped prevent a potential raceending collision after some close combat with Wild Oats XI in the opening hour of the Sydney to Hobart.

The Mark Richards-skippered Wild Oats XI appeared to miss LDV Comanche by the closest of margins as the two supermaxis crossed paths in some close and feisty sailing.

Members of the LDV Comanche crew remonstrated with Wild Oats XI after the close call.

Had they hit, it could have been game over for one, or both, of the line honours favourites.

The goal of most skippers is to avoid any close contact for the race but someone evidently forgot to tell two of the supermaxis.

Yesterday’s start was mostly uneventful and the close calls came after the fleet cleared a chaotic Sydney Harbour from three separate start lines. With thousands watching on from the foreshore and all manners of craft — kayaks, skiffs, pleasure boats and yachts — the 102-strong fleet was sent on its way in a gentle easterly by a replica cannon at 1pm.

The menacing, blackhulled LDV Comanche was quick off the mark before Mark Bradford and his team on Black Jack claimed the honour of being the first yacht to sail through the heads and out to sea.

Last night Comanche had made the most of increasing winds to overhaul Black Jack and her new nemesis, Wild Oats XI.

While the fleet started the race under record pace, there is still potential for a new mark to be set by the supermaxis in the 628 nautical mile race.