
Wild Oats XI was stripped of victory in the Sydney to Hobart race, after a protest from rival LDV Comanche.

There was near collision as the two boats exited Sydney Heads where Wild Oats appeared to tack too close Comanche.

Tuesday saw the start of the annual Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race, Australia's annual sailing spectacular. More than 100 boats made their way along the New South Wales coast towards Tasmania.

Crowds gathered along Sydney Harbor to wave off the fleet. It's the 73rd edition of the race, which sees vessels navigate 628 nautical miles.

Supermaxi yacht Comanche held the lead at the end of the first day's racing, edging out Wild Oats after the two boats locked horns leaving the harbor.

Comanche was skippered by America's Cup winner Jimmy Spithill. "We had a near miss with Wild Oats XI," said Comanche's owner Jim Cooney. "We needed to take evasive action but nothing was damaged."

Wild Oats was one of four supermaxi yachts competing for line honors in the race, alongside Comanche, Black Jack and InfoTrack -- all of which have won the race in the past.

The fleet featured 27 international entries. Dorade, an 86-year-old wooden vessel, is the oldest in the race.

Sydney harbor was alive with activity before the boats set sail.

The crew aboard Beau Geste battle against the waves. The race sees the boats cross the infamous Bass Strait.