Ian Thorpe joins champion yacht LawConnect to tackle Sydney to Hobart race

A quarter-century after his Sydney Olympics triumph, Ian Thorpe faces his most unexpected challenge yet aboard a championship sailing vessel.

Ian Thorpe will join Skipper Christian Beck and his crew on the LawConnect supermaxi in this year’s Sydney to Hobart race. Picture: Rohan Kelly

Australian Olympic legend Ian Thorpe is back competing in the water – but it’s not in a pool.

A quarter of a century after winning three gold medals in swimming at the Sydney Olympics, Thorpe has decided to head into deeper waters, ­taking on the 2025 Sydney to Hobart yacht race on board back-to-back champion vessel LawConnect.

And while the announcement will catch many off guard, Thorpe revealed this may not just be a one-off.

“This is a first, hopefully it’s not my last,” Thorpe told The Daily Telegraph. “I think I would love to do it again ... Ask me after the race and see if I have the same answer.”

Thorpe’s decision to join the champion team ticks off a bucket-list item for the 43-year-old, who said he wanted to test himself in an unfamiliar environment.

But his experience swimming at the top level will still come in handy while on the Tasman Sea.

Ian Thorpe says competing in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race will tick off a bucket-list item. Picture: Rohan Kelly

“There’s a physical part, there’s the endurance aspect of it, testing yourself when you’re tired and fatigued, and for me it’s an athlete’s mentality,” Thorpe said.

“Looking at the things you still can do that you’re challenged by that you will get a kick out of as well.”

Despite it being Thorpe’s first time competing in sailing, he is no stranger to the activity.

The former Olympian has sailed around Whitsundays in Queensland and joined in training with the LawConnect crew over the past couple of months.

And while in Thorpe’s mind it would be easy for him to go and just enjoy taking part in the race, the competitor in him has different plans.

“I would like to win,” he said.

The start of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race in 2024. Picture: Supplied

“LawConnect has done very well over the last couple of years … for me it’s the possibility of winning and it’s seeing what everyone else can contribute as part of the team.”

LawConnect founder and skipper Christian Beck said Thorpe’s inclusion wasn’t just a gimmick, with the former Olympic champion expected to do his bit for the team.

“Obviously if the boat sinks, I’m getting him to rescue me first,” Beck joked.

“Having a true sporting legend boosts the crew, but also he’s a big strong guy and there’s 300kg bags he can move.”

Originally published as Ian Thorpe joins champion yacht LawConnect to tackle Sydney to Hobart race