Cat makes history in Sydney to Hobart yacht race - BBC News

Oli is believed to be the first feline seafarer in the famous race's 78-year history.

23 hours agoShareclose panelShare pageCopy linkAbout sharingImage source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Bob and Oli are accidental pioneersBy Tiffanie TurnbullBBC News, SydneyWhen Oli queues up on the starting line for the Sydney to Hobart yacht race on Tuesday, he'll be making history.

That's because Oli is a cat.

Since the event began as a casual cruise down the east coast of Australia in 1945, it has attracted all manner of colourful competitors - from media magnate Rupert Murdoch to Australian cricket legend Michael Clarke and former UK Prime Minister Sir Edward Heath.

But there's no record of any feline seafarers in the gruelling regatta. Carrier pigeons - sure: they were once used to send messages back to shore and have graced many a deck during the ocean classic. But cats? No.

Oli's owner Bob Williams says the pair didn't set out to be pioneers. The moggy is simply part of the furniture on Sylph VI and leaving him behind on the boat's jaunt south was out of the question.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-67700411?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=KARANGA

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