As Simplesail Mahligai, with an all-Russian crew bar owner Murray Owen, finished the 2016 Sydney Hobart PHS fifth overall and second in Division 1. This year, the crew are mainly Chinese from Shenzhen and Beijing, including female 470 Olympic campaigner Xiaomei Xu (ranked 51^st in the world). Mahligai placed PHS fourth overall and second in Division 1 in the 2015 Hobart. The previous Hobart, crewed mainly by Russians, and racing as Art Equity Mahligai, they finished PHS sixth and won Division 1. In 2013, moved up from PHS ninth overall of 2011 to sixth and won Division 1. The Kiwi owners live in Sydney and race out of the CYCA, but in a nod to their home country, are representing New Zealand this time. Mahligai has finished each of her eighth Hobarts with this Sydney 46, a good track record.