The disappointment of retiring with a broken rudder in the 2018 Rolex Sydney Hobart may well have been the catalyst of Jason Close returning to the race with Patriot in 2019. It was well worth it, as they placed ninth overall to win Division 5 by nearly two hours from Sail Exchange. Patriot’s only other Hobart was 2010, after being purchased by her former owner, Queenslander Tony Love, that year, and they finished 25th overall for second in Division 3. Otherwise, the J/133 has been lightly raced. Originally from the US, Patriot competed on the Great Lakes. She was the second US built J/133 to be imported into Australia and has a great cruising fit-out with solid offshore pedigree. The pressure is now on Close to finish the race and try to replicate or better her 2019 result.