Skipper Lou Abrahams is always one of the first entrants in the Race, and this year he is up for his 20th start. He will take his burgundy Challenge on her fifth Hobart race, hoping to improve on her 3rd overall in 1980. Challenge is a well travelled yacht, having competed in the Clipper Cup, Suva races and the Great Circle Race around Tasmania. On-board they have an aggregate experience of 91 Hobart races, which must make her one of the most experienced in the fleet.