Mark Richards (sailor)

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Wild Oats XI in the 2011 Sydney to Hobart race, skippered by Richards Wild Oats XI about to finish 2011 Sydney to Hobart.jpg
Wild Oats XI in the 2011 Sydney to Hobart race, skippered by Richards

Mark Richards is an Australian sailor and boatbuilder, known for his achievements as the long-time skipper of Wild Oats XI, 9 times line honours winner [1] of the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht race.

In 1995, Richards founded Palm Beach Motor Yachts in Australia, which was acquired by Grand Banks Yachts in 2014. Richards is currently CEO of Grand Banks as a result of the acquisition.

As a professional sailor, Richards has sailed in 2 Americas Cup challenges, has achieved World Match Racing victories, [2] has won the Sydney to Gold Coast yacht race, [3] the 2003 Admirals Cup, [4] and has taken out line honours and handicap honours in the prestigious Rolex Sydney to Hobart races.

Notable victories

YearTitleVesselPosition
2003Admiral's CupWild Oats IXPrincipal Helmsman
2005Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Wild Oats XI Skipper
2006Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Wild Oats XI Skipper
2007Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Wild Oats XI Skipper
2008Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Wild Oats XI Skipper
2010Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Wild Oats XI Skipper
2012Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Wild Oats XI Skipper
2013Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Wild Oats XI Skipper
2014Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Wild Oats XI Skipper
2018Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race Wild Oats XI Skipper

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<i>Wild Oats XI</i> Australian ship

Wild Oats XI is a maxi yacht, most famous for being the former race record holder and a nine-times line honours winner of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Launched in 2005, she was owned by Bob Oatley and skippered by New South Wales Mark Richards, who founded Palm Beach Yachts Australia.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race</span> 2011 annual yacht race in Australia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race</span> 2012 annual yacht race in Australia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race</span> 2013 annual yacht race in Australia

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The 2017 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race was the 73rd annual running of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and sponsored by Rolex, it began at Sydney Harbour at 13:00 on 26 December 2017, before heading south for 628 nautical miles (1,163 km) via the Tasman Sea, Bass Strait, Storm Bay and up the River Derwent, to cross the finish line in Hobart, Tasmania.

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The 2018 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race was the 74th annual running of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Hosted by the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia and sponsored by Rolex, it began at Sydney Harbour at 13:00 on 26 December 2018, before heading south for 628 nautical miles (1,163 km) via the Tasman Sea, Bass Strait, Storm Bay and up the River Derwent, to cross the finish line in Hobart, Tasmania. This race marked the 20 year anniversary of the 1998 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, when 6 sailors died due to severe weather.

References

  1. "Historical Facts - Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2016". www.rolexsydneyhobart.com. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  2. "Wild Oats XI - Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2016". www.rolexsydneyhobart.com. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  3. "Wild Oats XI wins Sydney to GC yacht race". News. Retrieved 26 March 2017.
  4. "Australians sink Spanish to win Admiral's Cup - smh.com.au". www.smh.com.au. Retrieved 26 March 2017.