Lion New Zealand returns for Hobart race

In 1984 when Lion New Zealand lined up for the start of the Sydney-Hobart Race she was about the biggest modern yacht ever seen in Sydney harbour.

At just a touch under 80 feet, the giant sloop had been built by the late Sir Peter Blake for the 1985-86 Whitbread Round the World Race and the Sydney-Hobart proved a perfect warm-up.

It was one of the toughest races on record. The gruelling conditions saw just 46 of the 151 starters make it to Hobart and Lion NZ was untroubled to take line honours.

This year Lion NZ will be skippered by Alistair Moore, but he will be getting some help from the offspring of the original crew.

Sarah Jane Blake, Peter's daughter, will be joined by Conrad Gundry -- the son of original crew member Simon Gundry -- and Sam Cay, the son of Godfrey Cay, another original crew member.

Sarah told the CYCA's media team member Lisa Radcliff that she feels part of the historic yacht.

"I spent so long on the boat when I was younger that I feel comfortable and content when sailing her and being on the boat really makes me feel closer to my dad," Sarah says.

"The Lion Maritime Development Charitable Trust's great work with youth and the exciting plan they have for the future are continuing dad's legacy. I just want to support it as much as I can."

Moore says that while Lion NZ gives away more than 20 feet in length to today's supermaxis such as Wild Oats XI and Alfa Romeo, he hopes to be in the first 30 yachts across the finish line.

It isn't just waterline length that makes Lion NZ slower than modern yachts. An indication of how design has changed in 25 years is the weight of the yacht -- Lion NZ weighs 40 tonnes, while Wild Oats is just 27 tonnes.

Lion NZ is one of four Kiwi boats entered for this year's Rolex Sydney-Hobart Race, while other entries have come from the UK, the US, Spain, the Netherlands and New Caledonia.