Simon Kurts’ Love & War celebrates her 51st anniversary in the 2024 Rolex Sydney Hobart of her first race and also marking a half-century since its first victory in 1974. The classic yacht remains competitive, finishing fifth in division in last year’s race and third in the 2021 race, also winning division.

The yacht holds a special place in race history as the second of only three boats to win the Tattersall Cup three times, with victories in 1974, 1978 and 2006, when Kurts loaned the boat to Lindsay May, who last year competed for a 50^th consecutive time – a record – and he will navigate Love & War this year. The other two boats to achieve this remarkable feat are Freya (1963, 1964 and 1965) and Ichi Ban (2017, 2019 and 2021).

Love & War was built in 1973 for Simon's father, Peter Kurts, who represented Australia with her at the 1975 Admiral’s Cup. The classic yacht is known for excelling in tough conditions from a mix of directions – and that’s what Phil and his crew will be hoping for this year.

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