Launched in 1997, Sows Ear was sailed to Australia to race with the New Zealand team in the Southern Cross Cup and Telstra Sydney to Hobart race in that year. She then returned home to compete in local and coastal races including the Auckland Fiji race where she notched up a 2nd place. Other good results for this Hick 35 include a 1st in this years Mooloolaba Airlie Beach race and 1st in the Fiji President's Cup Regatta.