Rush went to Hobart last year and finish 49^th overall under IRC and 10^th in Division 2. The Patersons are avid sailors and have entered their 16 year-old Corel 45 in the majority of major Victorian offshore races for years, including putting in a regular appearance at Australia’s oldest keel boat event, currently known as Festival of Sails, each January.

Rush is contesting her sixth Rolex Sydney Hobart, with a best place of fifth in IRC Division 2 in both 2008 and 2009. Among the regular crew which has a multitude of ocean racing experience, is Andrew McCole, who contested the 2007 Melbourne Osaka double-handed yacht race, withdrawing after hull damage occurred.