We stay in the water for the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race in which Australian super-maxi Wild Oats XI smashed the race record and won for their ninth time, but might face a protest from second-placed LDV Comanche for a near-collision just after the start.

Wild Oats crossed the line in the River Derwent after steaming down the eastern coast of Australia at an average speed of around 20 knots before being becalmed in the final few miles.

They finished in one day, eight hours, 48 minutes and 50 seconds, smashing the 1 day, 13 hours and 31 minute record set by Perpetual Loyal, which has been renamed InfoTrack, last year.

Wild Oats, however, could face a protest from the Jimmy Spithill-helmed Comanche after the pair narrowly avoided a collision about 15 minutes into the race on Tuesday.

America's Cup winner Spithill was heard on television yelling "that's way too close" as Wild Oats completed a tack. Comanche put up a red protest flag at the time and have six hours after the race to lodge the paperwork. Organisers said Wild Oats had the option of doing a 720-degree turn at the time of the initial protest if they accepted blame, but chose not to. They could face a minimum five-minute time penalty if the protest is upheld.