Sydney-Hobart champ undergoing repairs

SYDNEY - Sydney to Hobart race record-holder Wild Oats XI has been lifted from the water for hurried keel repairs ahead of the Boxing Day race start.

An underwater inspection of the supermaxi's hull on Tuesday revealed the keel was damaged when it hooked onto a buoy and line attached to a fish trap off Sydney Heads on Monday.

While the damage was not structural, the keel's leading edge was serrated, a problem serious enough to cause speed-sapping turbulence.

Repairs were being done today after Wild Oats XI was taken from the water overnight.

"We had to lift the yacht out of the water at midnight because that was when the tide was most favourable," skipper Mark Richards said.

"The damage is only superficial, but we need absolutely everything going for us in this year's Hobart race, so it was imperative that we fixed it."

The yacht was expected to be relaunched later on Wednesday.

Wild Oats XI, the course record holder for the Sydney to Hobart, will be shooting for an unprecedented fifth consecutive line honours win in the classic this year.

- AAP