Cat makes history in Sydney to Hobart yacht race

When Oli, a feline, lines up for the Sydney to Hobart yacht race on Tuesday, he will be making history. The event, which began as a leisurely cruise down Australia's east coast in 1945, has seen a variety of colourful competitors. These include media tycoon Rupert Murdoch, Australian cricket legend Michael Clarke, and former UK Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath. However, there's no record of any cat participating in this challenging regatta.

Oli's owner, Bob Williams, insists that they didn't set out to be trailblazers. Oli is simply a fixture on Sylph VI, and leaving him behind during the boat's journey south was unthinkable. 'I've done lots of crazy things, but this isn't one of them,' Mr Williams told the BBC. The race organisers, initially puzzled, have also given their approval. There are no race rules prohibiting animals, and cats have a long history in maritime travel, as the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia pointed out.

The Rolex Sydney Hobart race is celebrated for its diverse boats and characters. While most spectators will be focused on the speedy super maxis - enormous yachts with up to 24 crew members - during the Boxing Day race, Sylph, a 40ft yacht built in 1960, will compete in the two-handed division where smaller boats race with a reduced team. 'We're jokingly saying [it's] the two-handed and four-pawed division,' Mr Williams quipped.