Wild Oats XI and another yacht, Ran, failed to report via high frequency radio their arrival at Green Cape as the rules have required since a major storm sank five boats and killed six sailors 12 years ago.
Both yachts had instead reported their positions by telephone at the cape on the southern coast of New South Wales and were placed under protest on Tuesday.
"This is a fundamental safety issue," said Tim Cox, chairman of the race committee. "Should a situation occur, we couldn’t organize search and rescue operations via telephones. I consider this a serious breach." Wild Oats XI has won the line honors — or first past the post victory — for four of the last five years and holds the record for the quickest race time of one day, 18 hours, 40 minutes and 10 seconds which it set in 2005.
Although it was not able match that time this year, the maxi yacht led the fleet into Hobart late on Tuesday evening after a voyage of two days, seven hours, 37 minutes and 20 seconds.
Wild Oats XI will be designated as "provisional winner,” according to the official race website (www.rolexsydneyhobart.com).
A hearing will take place on Wednesday afternoon and both Wild Oats XI and Ran could be disqualified.
High winds and heavy swells had forced 16 boats to retire from the 628 nautical mile race late on Tuesday, leaving 71 still competing.
