- Joint principal sponsor, Audi Australia, hosts the official Wild Oats Xl modification launch
- $2 million modification will make a record-winning yacht even stronger
- Guests treated to a personal tour of the new-look Wild Oats XI by skipper, Mark Richards, and personal anecdotes from the crew, designer and boat builder
Friday, December 4, 2015 – After undergoing major surgery, the icon of Australian sailing, supermaxi Wild Oats Xl, has been unveiled for the first time at her base in Sydney this morning.
The official unveiling at Woolwich, hosted by the yacht's joint principal sponsor, Audi Australia Pty Ltd, saw the newly-modified 100 foot super-maxi yacht quite literally at eye level with guests as details of her surgery, and it's results, were presented.
Selected media and VIP's joined the highly-experienced crew, owners Bob and Sandy Oatley, designer Steve Quigley and Skipper Mark Richards, who took guests on a personal tour of the modified yacht.
Estimated to cost around $2 million, Wild Oats XI has undergone major upgrades to its hull in a bid to fend off challenges from more modern boats.
The hull was cut almost in half, from a point just forward of the mast. This resulted in 14m of the front section being removed and subsequently replaced by a new bow section 2m longer. Then with the maximum overall length for yachts contesting the Rolex Sydney Hobart race standing at 100 feet, 2m of the hull was cut from the stern.
The 2m longer forward section of the boat and a 1m extension to the bow sprit will now allow the yacht to carry significantly larger headsails and spinnakers, additions that will greatly increase the yacht's "horsepower" when under sail.
Audi Australia's Managing Director Andrew Doyle says the German luxury carmaker would refer to the modification as a prime example of "Vorsprung durch Technik, or 'advancement through technology'.
"We are absolutely thrilled to host this important milestone, and to show our strong support of the Oatley family and Wild Oats XI," he said.
"Our brands are a perfect fit. We share the same passion for innovation and technological advancement, and the Audi brand is no stranger to endurance-racing success with our extensive Le Mans heritage. Not willing to rest on their laurels, Bob and Sandy Oatley have made a considerable investment in new technology and a new design to give Wild Oats Xl every chance at success in 2015 and beyond, building on her impressive legacy," Mr Doyle added.
For Wild Oats XI, having Audi join the Rolex Sydney to Hobart campaign for the second year is a welcome extension of the German carmaker's partnership with Audi Hamilton Island Race Week, the tropical island paradise owned by the Oatley family.
"The modifications we have made to Wild Oats XI will make her a faster yacht in all conditions," said Wild Oats XI owner Sandy Oatley.
"It is also important that we recognize the great support we have received from our principal supporters Audi and Channel 7 who have given 100% support in this undertaking."
The state-of-the-art mainsail will again be emblazoned with the Audi rings and Channel 7 logo when Wild Oats Xl takes to Sydney Harbour within the next few days in preparation for the 2015 Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race.
Wild Oats XI is the most successful yacht to have contested the Sydney to Hobart race in its 70 year history. This year, in what will be her eleventh start in the classic, the sleek racer will be going for an unprecedented ninth line honours.
Since being launched for the 2005 Hobart race she has become the only yacht to secure the triple-crown – line and handicap honours and a race record time – on two occasions.
She is also the only yacht to have achieved four consecutive line honours wins.
The Audi Group
The Audi Group delivered approximately 1,741,100 cars of the Audi brand to customers in 2014.The company achieved revenue of €53.8 billion and an operating profit of €5.15 billion in 2014. Audi operates globally in more than 100 markets and has production facilities in Ingolstadt and Neckarsulm (Germany), Gyor (Hungary), Brussels (Belgium), Bratislava (Slovakia), Martorell (Spain), Kaluga (Russia), Aurangabad (India), Changchun and Foshan (China) as well as Jakarta (Indonesia). The brand with the Four Rings will start producing cars in Curitiba (Brazil) this year and in San José Chiapa (Mexico) in 2016. Wholly owned subsidiaries of AUDI AG include quattro GmbH (Neckarsulm), Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. (Sant'Agata Bolognese, Italy) and sports motorcycle manufacturer Ducati Motor Holding S.p.A. (Bologna, Italy). The company currently employs approximately 80,000 people worldwide, thereof around 58,000 in Germany. Total investment of about €24 billion is planned from 2015 to 2019 – primarily in new products and sustainable technologies. Audi is committed to its corporate responsibility and has anchored the principle of sustainability for its products and processes in its strategy. The long-term goal is CO2-neutral mobility.