Intro:

Wild Oats XI crossed the finishing line in first place in Hobart on Friday to win the 68th edition of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

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After two days of intense racing, Bob Oatley's five-time Sydney Hobart Yacht winner, Wild Oats XI, claimed her sixth career victory in the iconic Australian race.

The team beat their 2005 record as they gently sailed over the line in one day, 18 hours, 23 minutes and 12 seconds.

It took nearly 16 minutes and 58 seconds off their previous race record set seven years ago.

With only a couple of hours to go, the Wild Oats XI looked to be well outside the record time in the race which was contested by 76 yachts.

But skipper Mark Richards and his crew picked up the pace in their super maxi to around 15 knots and shaved 47 minutes off their expected time to finish.

Richards' decision to use a bigger headsail proved to be a wise move as it ended in a record victory.

Syd Fischer's Ragamuffin Loyal finished the race in second place close to five hours behind Wild Oats.

The winning skipper already has his sights set on next year's competition where he will hope to match seven race wins set by Morna later renamed Kurrewa.

Wild Oats XI also joined Kurrewa as the only boat to break its own race record.