The Premier of Tasmania, Jim Bacon, today presented the prestigious Tasmanian Government Medallions to six yachtsman and a yacht for having competed in 25 Sydney Hobart races. 

The yacht Mark Twain, owned and skippered by Hugh O’Neill from the Sydney Amateur Sailing Club, is the first yacht in the 58 year history of the race to have sailed in 25 races.

The six yachtsmen who reached 25 races in the 2002 Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race are:

• Colin Anderson from Melbourne who sailed on Nips N Tux.
• Jim Dunstan from Sydney who skippered his own yacht,  Zeus II, finishing second overall.
• John Harris from Sydney, who was a member of the communications team aboard the Radio Relay Vessel,  Four Seasons.
• Bob Fraser from Sydney who sailed on Nips N Tux
• Ian Potter from Sydney, who was the navigator on Infinity III.
• Bill Watson from Hobart, a crew member of the Tasmanian yacht, Mirrabooka, whose skipper, John Bennetto, sailed in his 42nd race.

They join 53 “Hobart Heroes” who have sailed in 25 Sydney Hobarts, and will have their names engraved on a Huon Pine map of Tasmania that takes pride of place in the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in Sydney.

Premier Bacon presented the Medallions at the Trophy Presentation for the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race at the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania today.  The Governor of Tasmania, His Excellency Sir Guy Green, presented the Tattersalls Cup to the Overall Winner of the Race, Quest.