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AAP
AAP
Ethan James

Oli lapping up life at sea and a place in race history

Oli the cat feels right at home on Sydney to Hobart yacht Sylph VI with skipper Robert Williams. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

At the tail of the Sydney to Hobart fleet is the oldest boat containing the race's only cat.

Oli is alongside retired navy officer owner Bob Williams on 41-foot cruiser Sylph VI, which on Thursday afternoon was second last with more than 470 nautical miles to go. 

Co-skipper Chris Warren, the only other sailor on the two-handed vessel, said all were faring well in variable conditions.

Sylph VI skipper Robert
Sylph VI skipper Robert Williams with Oli, believed to be the first cat in the Sydney-Hobart. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS)

"Oli is tucked up in Bob's bunk and is enjoying it by the look of it," Warren said. 

"He's in charge of moral support.

"We're eating very well, Oli included, some nice hot meals." 

Oli, believed to be the first cat to contest the 628-nautical-mile bluewater classic, has been travelling with Williams on Sylph VI for about five years. 

"In some of the variable stuff yesterday he did venture into the cockpit when it was very calm and no winds," Warren said. 

"As soon as the breeze is up … he stays safely downstairs."

Sylph VI, ahead of only Queensland 70-footer Silver Fern, which is crewed by 15 people, has previously contested the race five times in the 1960s and early 1970s. 

She was built in 1960 and bought by Williams in 1997 and has since circumnavigated the globe two-and-a-half times. 

The NSW yacht, yet to reach Bass Strait, is slated to finish on January 2, a far cry from LawConnect's line-honours mark of one day, 19 hours, three minutes and 58 seconds.

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