Ian Thorpe will be taking on a new challenge when the Australian Olympic swimming great joins the crew of supermaxi LawConnect in the Sydney to Hobart. (Getty Images: AOC/Mark Metcalfe)
In short:
Australia's most successful male Olympian, Ian Thorpe, will be part of the crew of supermaxi LawConnect in this year's Sydney to Hobart yacht race.
Thorpe described the challenge of ocean racing as "a completely different test", on board the boat that is aiming to win a third straight line honours crown.
What's next?
Thorpe and the crew of LawConnect will begin the Cabbage Tree Island race beginning on Friday and the Big Boat Challenge before the Sydney to Hobart on Boxing Day.
Olympic champion Ian Thorpe has joined LawConnect's crew as the supermaxi yacht pushes for a third consecutive Sydney to Hobart line honours title.
The five-time Olympic gold medallist has begun training with the 100-footer's (30) crew of around 20 sailors but his role on board is still to be determined.
From Friday, the legendary swimmer will make his offshore racing debut in the Cabbage Tree Island Race, the last major offshore contest before the 80th Sydney to Hobart begins on Boxing Day.
Thorpe will also be aboard for the less rigorous Big Boat Challenge in Sydney Harbour on Tuesday.
It is understood Thorpe has been enthusiastic about the prospect of sailing in the Hobart for some time and made contact with LawConnect following her recent successes.
"I've spent my life in and around water, but this is a completely different test, both mentally and physically," Thorpe said in a statement.
"Joining the LawConnect team is an opportunity to push myself, learn something new, and be part of an incredible Australian sporting tradition."
LawConnect's crew features some of the most experienced sailors in the Hobart fleet, led by New Zealand sailing great Tony Mutter.
But the boat also has a history of welcoming newer sailors on board, often hosting staff members from owner and skipper Christian Beck's business ventures.
Beck's 18-year-old son Indy will also sail in his first Hobart this year.
"Thorpie is one of Australia's greatest athletes," the elder Beck said.
"Having him join LawConnect not only brings an incredible story to this year's race but highlights our commitment to doing things differently."
LawConnect was first across the finish line in Hobart last year following a harrowing race that claimed two lives in wild weather.
She memorably beat Master Lock Comanche, then sailing as Andoo Comanche, by less than a minute in 2023 for her first line honours win under Beck's ownership.
Completing a "three-peat" will be a challenge as nine-time line honours champion Wild Oats XI returns for her first race since 2022 under new name Palm Beach XI.
Comanche also returns after retiring with mainsail damage amid heavy conditions on the first night of sailing in 2024.
In total, there are six supermaxis contesting the Hobart, the equal most in any edition of the race.
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