With any luck he won’t need to swim.
But five-time Olympic and 11-time World Champion Ian Thorpe will be swapping pool water for open water as a guest crew member when the 80th Sydney-Hobart Yacht Race begins on Boxing Day.
Thorpe, 43, will be aboard the two-time defending line honours champion LawConnect as the supermaxi makes its way more than 1,150 kilometres south from Sydney Harbour to Hobart’s Constitution Dock.
“I’ve spent my life in and around water, but this is a completely different test, both mentally and physically,” Thorpe said.
MORE: When is the Sydney to Hobart yacht race? Start time, dates for 80th edition
“Joining the LawConnect team is an opportunity to push myself, learn something new, and be part of an incredible Australian sporting tradition,” he added.
Thorpe had his first taste of open water action at the start of December in the Sydney to Cabbage Tree Island and Return offshore race, used by several 2025 line honours hopes as a tune-up for the main race to Hobart.
LawConnect finished second behind Master Lock Comanche.
Over the years other sports stars to have sailed the Sydney to Hobart include former Test cricket captain Michael Clarke, Wallabies legend Phil Waugh, AFL star Gerard Healy and Sydney Roosters fullback Anthony Minichiello.
The 2026 Sydney to Hobart yacht race will start at 1:00pm (AEDT) on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025.
Sydney-Hobart: Last 10 race winners
Line honours winners
2024 | LawConnect (NSW) |
2023 | LawConnect (NSW) |
2022 | Andoo Comanche (NSW) |
2021 | Black Jack (Monaco) |
2019 | Comanche (NSW) |
2018 | Wild Oats (NSW) |
2017 | LDV Comanche (NSW) |
2016 | Perpetual LOYAL (NSW) |
2015 | Comanche (NSW) |
2014 | Wild Oats XI (NSW) |
Handicap winners
2024 | Celestial V70 (NSW) |
2023 | Alive (TAS) |
2022 | Celestial (NSW) |
2021 | Ichi Ban (NSW) |
2019 | Ichi Ban (NSW) |
2018 | Alive (TAS) |
2017 | Ichi Ban (NSW) |
2016 | Giacomo (NZ) |
2015 | Balance (NSW) |
2014 | Wild Rose (NSW) |