SUPER maxi Wild Thing was banned from starting this year's Rolex Sydney-Hobart Race at 10am today when race organisers said skipper Grant Wharington had failed to supply needed documents in accordance with the race rules.
CYCA Commodore Howard Piggott said Wharington had failed to file declarations from the designer and builder of Wild Thing that the yacht complied to ABS standards for racing boats.
Doubts had been cast over Wild Thing since race director Tim Cox told the Christmas Eve skipper's briefing that the yacht still owed him "heaps" of paperwork.
Yachts have to lodge documents covering their construction, any modifications, their international ratings certificate and compulsory safety checks before be given permission to start in the 628 nautical mile race.
Wharington was at the CYCA sailing office this morning to sign documents and he left the club to board his boat believing he had been cleared to start.
"It's all signed and I've been given a tick of approval," Wharington said as he left for Berkinhead Marina.
"The boat is in great shape and we are looking forward to the race."
However Piggott said there was no way Wild Thing would be allowed to start and patrol boats on the harbour would be ordered to keep the yacht out of the race area.
Piggott said the club would attempt to pass written confirmation of the decision to Wharington aboard his boat.
"We have tried to contact him by phone but have been unable to reach him," Piggott said.
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