Bill Barry-Cotter bought Katwinchar, built in the Watney Brewery in London for proprietor, W. Watney, restoring her from a dilapidated state over two years. The ketch is the oldest confirmed yacht to have done the Hobart.

Her first was 1951 under E.J. Mossop, who sailed her to Australia from England, but she retired. Michael Spies was aboard for her second race in 2019 and after some great two-handed results, last year, retired from his first Sydney Hobart double handed effort, co-skippered by Peter Vaicuirgis. ‘Spiesy’ is sailing fully crewed this time and will rack up his 47^th Hobart.

Vaicuirgis is aboard, along with Scott Kaufman, a renowned Australian boat designer and sailor who lives in New York. A hard blow is needed to win, but never underestimate ‘Spiesy’, the 1999 Line Honours champ and record breaker on Nokia. He has also won overall (First National Real Estate, 2003) and has two major titles – in both 18ft skiffs and 11 Metre One-Design Worlds.

Related Videos

Watch a 2024 interview with co-skipper Michael Spies