Comanche, the USA boat racing for the first time, sails up the harbour in 2nd place from Wild Oats XI during the Big Boat Challenge on Sydney Harbour. Picture: Mark Evans Source: News Corp Australia

It was an eighth line honours win for Wild Oats XI in the warm up event for the Sydney to Hobart yacht race, finishing more than a minute ahead of her second-placed American rival.

Comanche was racing competitively for the first time since her recent launch in the United States.

She spent some time at the front of the fleet during the first lap, as Wild Oats XI had problems with a spinnaker.

However, Bob Oatley’s seven-time Sydney to Hobart line honours winner asserted herself over the second lap of the 14-nautical mile course.

Comanche’s co-owner, Australian model Kristy Hinze-Clark, had a stint on the wheel while the crew also included world sailor of the year James Spithill.

AAP