Sandy Oatley has high expectations for Wild Oats XI in this year’s Sydney to Hobart despite problems with the supermaxi’s mast.

While the six-time line honours winner of the water classic was going head-to-head with its rivals on Sydney Harbour in the Big Boat Challenge yesterday, Oatley was hoping to hear how the new mast went.

Wild Oats XI had a problem with the mast three weeks ago and put it in the boat on Thursday, but on Monday there seemed to still be a problem with it.

Despite the issues, the eldest son of wine mogul Robert Oatley was confident Wild Oats XI can make it seven line honours victories in the Sydney to Hobart when the race sets sail on Boxing Day.

“We have made a few modifications to the boat that we haven’t been able to test yet,” Sandy Oatley said to The Weekly at Mudgee Cup day on Friday.

“There is going to be a lot of good competition this year with Loyal with Anthony Bell, and Sid Fisher with Ragamuffin and there will be two Volvo 70s... it is going to be a great race.”

Every year there are media speculation about whether Wild Oats XI will break its own Sydney to Hobart record.

But Sandy said a record-breaking sail has a lot to do with the right weather conditions.

“We will be trying hard as we always do but we are in the lap of the Gods and the Sydney to Hobart is quite an unusual race where you can race for two days and get to the mouth of the Derwent and the wind stops. You sit there and everyone catches up to you and passes you.”

While the prospect of more success in the Sydney to Hobart is on the horizon for the Oatley family, Australia’s challenge in the 35th America’s Cup excites Sandy even more.

As soon as Team USA’s Oracle won the 34th cup for the Golden Gate Yacht Club, a representative on behalf of Robert Oatley issued a challenge.

The format, location, dates and rules of the 35th America’s Cup have yet to be confirmed but Sandy said plans were in motion to assemble Australia’s best team.

“We’re looking for some great young Australian sailors. We have been part of the Australian Olympic squad and helping to sponsor those guys. They were our best team in the Olympics last year in the United Kingdom.”

He said a decision on the name for the yacht could come down to a public vote.

“We don’t know what to call it, we might have a competition and get people to go on the website and put something forward,” he said.

“We are still tossing up but it is definitely going to be Australian with an Australian theme and get the rest of Australia back [supporting it] as we did 30 years ago when Australia Two won.”