The crew of Wild Oats XI send a crewman up the main sail prior to the start of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race. Photo by Reuters.
The Mark Richards-skippered supermaxi maintained a steady 39-nautical mile lead over rival Comanche, supported by northwesterly winds overnight.
"Currently keeping us both on our toes and out of bed," @WildOatsXI tweeted about midnight (AEDT) of the conditions.
The 100-footer is vying for a record eighth line honours finish at Hobart's Constitution Dock, still some 120 nautical miles away.
On current projections she should reach the Derwent River by mid-afternoon Sunday, well behind the race record pace she set in 2012.
Third-placed Ragamuffin 100 is 124 nautical miles from Wild Oats XI and leads the main race pack which continues to cross Bass Strait.
American boat Rio 100 is in fourth.
