FURIOUS Wild Thing skipper Grant Wharington was left to rue what might have been after controversially being banned from this year's Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
The flamboyant and highly-experienced yachtsman was booted out of the famous bluewater classic this morning -- just three hours before the start -- after failing to file a cache of important documents relating to recent alterations to the boat.
Bookies had Wharington's super-maxi as third favourite for this year's line honours and her skipper was clearly angry and emotional after a last-minute appeal against the decision was dismissed.
"We are absolutely devastated to be told at the 11th hour that we are unable to race to Hobart," he said.
"Would you believe we have been offered to sail down the course and we can go on into the radio skeds and leave the tracker on (and not compete for line honours), which is an insult."
Wharington later accused race organisers of conspiring against larger yachts -- comments which could land him in further hot water.
The Cruising Yacht Club of Australia's race committee made the decision to pull the 2003 line honours winner at 10am (AEDT), citing the failure of the boat's owners to produce sufficient documentation regarding its design and recent hull modifications.
CYCA commodore Howard Piggott delivered the news while Wharington had his phone switched off as the skipper was giving his crew a pre-race briefing at the time.
Piggott said the race committee's decision was final.
"We made every effort, I assure you. We want to see boats racing," he said.
"However, it's out of our hands. We must comply with the notice of race and ensure that our safety standards are maintained."
After failing to overturn the ban, Wharington and his crew were forced to watch the race from the yacht club bar and said they would down several crates of beer.
That meant a reduced fleet of 76 boats took to the water and race favourite Wild Oats XI looked unbeatable after flying off the start line at 1pm (AEDT) and rounding the South Head of Sydney Harbour first.
The 100ft super-maxi has also had a series of modifications in the lead-up to the Sydney-Hobart race and it showed as she opened up a sizeable lead over fierce rival Ragamuffin Loyal before even leaving the harbour.
Wild Oats XI is attempting to beat her race record time of just over one day and 18 hours, set during her 2005 race victory.
But she'll need favourable conditions all the way to Hobart to do so.
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