2017 CYCA SOLAS Big Boat Challenge Sydney Harbour Black Jack drinks Wild Oats

Just 43 seconds separated near-sister ships Black Jack (Peter Harburg) and Wild Oats XI (the Oatley family) in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s SOLAS Big Boat Challenge on Sydney Harbour today, when the black Queensland boat, skippered by Mark Bradford, swooped across the finish line first at Fort Denison in a fresh north-easterly breeze. The last time the two boats raced head-to-head on the Harbour was in 2009 when Black Jack raced as Alfa Romeo. That year, Alfa Romeo, then owned by Neville Crichton, went on to claim line honours in the Rolex Sydney Hobart. No doubt Peter Harburg is hoping this is the first chapter in a repeat of 2009, though he concedes it is early days. “It is nicer to win than to come second, but a swallow doesn’t make a summer,” Harburg said. “These are two good boats and two very good crews. It comes down to the roll of the dice. They will come back stronger than ever in the next one, and the next one is the big one.” Keep watching our YouTube Channel for the Rolex sydney Harbour, Volvo Ocean race Melbourne, 16 Foot Skiff Australian Nationals, Aus IRC, Festival of Sails and Click "Like" and subscribe.