2011 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race

66th Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race
Investec LOYAL about to win the 2011 Sydney to Hobart
Event information
TypeYacht
Dates26–31 December 2011
SponsorRolex
Host citySydney, Hobart
Boats88
Distance628 nautical miles (1,163 km)
WebsiteWebsite archive
Results
Winner (2011)Investec LOYAL (Anthony Bell)
Succession
PreviousWild Oats XI (Mark Richards) in 2010
NextWild Oats XI (Mark Richards) in 2012

The 2011 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, sponsored by Rolex and hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in Sydney, New South Wales, was the 67th annual running of the "blue water classic" Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.[1] The 2011 edition began on Sydney Harbour at 1pm on Boxing Day (26 December 2011) before heading south for 628 nautical miles (1,163 km) through the Tasman Sea, past Bass Strait, into Storm Bay and up the River Derwent, to cross the finish line in Hobart, Tasmania.[2][3]

Line honours were claimed by Investec LOYAL in a time of two days, six hours, 14 minutes and 18 seconds after taking the lead from race favourite and defending champion Wild Oats XI, who had lost their lead outside Storm Bay after hitting light winds.[4][5][6] After fighting to keep the lead up the Derwent River, the Investec LOYAL crossed the finish line just three minutes and twelve seconds ahead of Wild Oats XI.[7][8] They held the line honour title even after the race committee raised a protest against Loyal, arguing that they "ask[ed] a third party for assistance during the race," but the race jury dismissed the complaint.[9]

Loki (Stephen Ainsworth) won her first 2011 Tattersall's Cup with an overall handicap time of 3:00:22:34.[10][11] Another Challenge was skippered by Jessica Watson, the youngest person to complete a nonstop, unassisted solo sail around the globe at 17.[12][13]

There were 88 starters.[13]

  1. ^ Grant, Ian (14 December 2011). "Rolex Sydney Hobart Blue Water Classic - A feast of entertainment". Sail-World. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  2. ^ Mercer, Phil; Mullins, Lisa (22 December 2011). "A Yacht Race in the Tasman Sea". The World. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  3. ^ Grant, Ian (5 December 2011). "Rolex Sydney Hobart fleet prepare to battle stormy Tasman sea". Sail-World. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  4. ^ "Investec Loyal". Official Site of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. 28 December 2011. Archived from the original on 10 January 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  5. ^ "Wild Oats' lead narrows in Sydney-Hobart race". The San Diego Tribune. 27 December 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  6. ^ Mundle, Rob (27 December 2011). "Rolex Sydney Hobart - Wild Oats XI chances hanging in the wind". Sail-World. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  7. ^ "Wild Oats XI". Official Site of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. 28 December 2011. Archived from the original on 13 January 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2011.
  8. ^ "Sailing-Wild Oats win sixth Sydney-Hobart in record time". Reuters. 27 December 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  9. ^ "Sydney-Hobart race protest dismissed". ABC News. 29 December 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2011.
  10. ^ "Loki takes Sydney-Hobart handicap win". The Sydney Morning Herald. 30 December 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  11. ^ "Loki declared overall winner of Rolex Sydney Hobart". Official Site of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race. 30 December 2011. Archived from the original on 22 March 2012. Retrieved 30 December 2011.
  12. ^ "Teenage sailor to skipper Sydney-Hobart yacht". The Columbian. 9 March 2011. Retrieved 5 March 2022.
  13. ^ a b Cort, Adam (30 December 2011). "Loki Wins Rolex Sydney Hobart". Sail Magazine. Retrieved 5 March 2022.