Sydney to Hobart yacht race 2020: surf ironman Ky Hurst to make debut on Willow

He’s conquered massive seas to win major ironman events in the past. Now this famous Australian surf lifesaver is about to up the ante with a new challenge - despite dreading one aspect of it.

Ky Hurst is preparing for his next big endurance challenge - doing a Sydney to Hobart.

No one is more at home in and on the water than surf ironman legend Ky Hurst. But his newest challenge has him wondering just what he is in for and dreading one thing in particular.

The 39-year-old has signed on to make his debut in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race on the Sydney 70 footer Maserati, rebranded as Willow for the race south.

Ky Hurst will compete in his first Sydney to Hobart this year on a former round the world racer.

It’s a long way from his most recent job of racing foiling boats in short, 30 minute or less bursts on a professional series, like most sports in 2020 put on hold due to coronavirus.

His race to Hobart will likely take around two days depending on the weather, with no pitstops, no delays for the TV cameras to arrive and no parties with sponsors and backers in an exotic location at the end of racing.

Instead he will take on a “safety and energy’’ role aboard the former round the world racer owned by Neutral Bay’s Jim Cooney.

The yacht, formerly known as Maserati during the start of the 2016 Sydney Hobart Yacht Race in Sydney. Pic: Brett Costello

“The opportunity came up a week ago and I grabbed it,’’ said Hurst, based on the northern beaches in recent times before moving his family back to the Gold Coast during coronavirus.

“The crew is the bees knees of sailing, with a whole heap of Volvo race experience.

“It’s different. We have been offshore all week, taking her out training and the boat is a beast. That thing downwind is so much fun.’’

“The ocean is my backyard so I'll looking forward to it and it helps when you can trust your crew.’’

Maserati, which has been rebranded as Willow, could be a contender for the overall honours this year.

Hurst, who iced his ironman career to compete at the last America’s Cup, said he is looking forward to every aspect of the race bar one.

“I’m not looking forward to going to the bathroom (the head aboard Maserati) any time soon,’’ Hurst said. “I’m not good with smell.

“My role is safety and energy and I can deliver in both those areas. I’m making sure all our safety gear is up to scratch, going through emergency procedures, man overboards etc.’’

Cooney, who sold the 100-footer Comanche he raced to a line honours win last year, is sailing south with wife Samantha and sons James and Douglas, at 18 eligible to compete for the first time.

The race starts on Boxing Day with around 75 yachts expected to start.

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Originally published as Sydney to Hobart yacht race 2020: surf ironman Ky Hurst to make debut on Willow