Iain Murray, regatta director for the 35th America’s Cup, savoured the sweet taste of success in the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race 2014.

The former America’s Cup skipper, Etchells and 18-foot Skiff world champion was among the crew of Wild Oats XI that claimed line honours for a record eighth time.

Helmed by skipper Mark Richards, the supermaxi completed the 628-nautical mile race in an elapsed time of two days, two hours, three minutes and 26 seconds.

Murray, whose reappointment for the next America’s Cup in 2017 was announced in mid-December, served as tactician and project manager.

Getting on the right side of a ridge of high pressure in the middle of Bass Strait sweeping between the Australian mainland and Tasmania was pivotal to Wild Oats XI’s success. The lighter conditions suited the supermaxi and enabled her to pull away from nearest rival Comanche and go on to seize line honours in the 117-boat fleet.

“It was a race to get through that gate from three days before the race,” said Murray, who represented his native Australia at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. “Luckily for us, we just got through the gate. Comanche got there, too, but they were slow out of it.

“We did really well to hang on to them in the rough stuff and still be side-by-side with her, and then it was our turn.

“It is a great all-round boat. Clearly, it has an advantage over the newer boats in light winds and it’s up to us to sail the boat in stronger winds as best we can and minimise the damage.”

Juan Vila, who was the navigator for the victorious Alinghi crew in the 2007 America’s Cup, served in the same role aboard Wild Oats XI.

Designed by Reichel Pugh, Wild Oats XI is the most successful yacht in the 70-year history of the Sydney Hobart Race, which began in the iconic Sydney Harbour on Boxing Day.

As well holding the record for the most victories, Bob Oatley’s supermaxi holds the race record that stands at one day, 18 hours, 23 minutes and 12 seconds along with the record for the most consecutive victories — four, between 2005 and 2008.

“There’s not a lot left we can do to this boat other than to sail it well,” Murray added.

Wild Rose, formerly owned by Oatley, was declared the overall winner on corrected time of three days, ten hours, 47 minutes and 43 seconds.