Built as an Admiral’s Cup contender in Melbourne, she was bought by Sydney yachtsman Max Ryan last year and campaigned as Venture 1 in the Southern Cross Cup and Kenwood Cup. In fact, a bet of case of Heinekin with fellow Australian yacht Vanguard in the Around the State Race in Hawaii saw Venture 1 beat the US team yacht Champosa, thus giving the Kenwood Cup to the Australian Red team. Skipper for the Hobart race will be world 18-footer champion Rob Brown, who sailed the boat in the Kenwood Cup. Recently won Halvorsen Cup off NSW coast.