Investec Loyal of Australia sails past Tasmania's iconic Organ Pipes during the annual Sydney to Hobart yacht race Wednesday. — Reuters HOBART – Supermaxi Investec Loyal charged down five-time winner Wild Oats XI to claim her first Sydney to Hobart title Wednesday, but an official challenge means the victory could be short-lived. The 100-footer took line honors with a slender margin of just three minutes and eight seconds – one of the closest finishes in decades – but it was soon overshadowed by claims Investec had received unauthorized outside assistance. Cruising Yacht Club of Australia commodore Garry Linacre said Investec would have to face an international jury Thursday over allegations it had asked a media helicopter crew what kind of sails Wild Oats had up earlier in the race. “It's against a racing rule of sailing, No. 41,” Linacre told reporters. When asked whether Investec could be disqualified if found guilty he said: “I would say that the answer to that question would have to be yes.” Thousands of onlookers had cheered at Hobart's Constitution Dock as 2010 runner-up Investec crossed the line in a time of two days, six hours, 14 minutes and 18 seconds to claim its first line honors win. The two supermaxis have long been rivals in the blue-water classic. Linacre said the crew had been served with protest papers as they stepped ashore and “I would imagine that this was as much of a shock to them as it is to me.” Investec skipper Anthony Bell said the question about sails had just been “a question of are they alright and have they lost any mainsails” following rough conditions on the first night which saw a number of boats retire. Third-placed Lahana was about 50 miles from the finish line when Wild Oats XI crossed and was expected to finish after midnight local time. Fifth-placed Loki, which had 60 miles to run, was narrowly leading the race on handicap when Investec Loyal finished.
