A relative newcomer to ocean racing, Michael Pritchard and his Beneteau First 45 Audere impressed in their debut event, the Maria Island Yacht Race in November 2013 where they finished fourth under IRC. In February 2013, she placed third under IRC in the 89 nautical mile Bruny Island Race, finished eighth in IRC Division 3 of the Land Rover Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race in July and second overall and won the ORCI division of the Brisbane to Keppel Island Yacht Race in August.

Pritchard is no stranger to the adrenaline rush, having previously raced in the Targa car rallies, and is hoping that the journey north will be favourable for his Beneteau. Audere has been competing in the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania’s twilight races and is also cruised by the Pritchard family around Hobart. The boat was launched in 2011 by South Australian Garry Tucker and competed in the 2011 Rolex Sydney Hobart as Patrice IV, finishing 12th in division.