The eye-catching Oroton Drumfire, skippered by Phillip Neil, normally sails the race under PHS, but is going IRC for the 80th. She placed second on PHS and won Division 1 last year and won PHS and Division 1 in 2023. Before that, she did the race in 2021, the 75^th race in 2019 and in 2018, with updated rigging, sails and other modifications.

A Hoek design, the 24-metre Drumfire is named for the long-distance desert race horse of the same name. This luxury yacht’s exterior and interior are beautifully kept, and her timber interior has been personally designed. She features a double cockpit and double coach roof and was brought to Australia in 2015. For the Hobart, Neil has quite a job removing the added luxuries – so she can sail well to her rating – restoring her to splendour afterwards.