Yachting: Lion NZ's Sydney to Hobart return

These days, Lion New Zealand spends most of its time taking tourists sailing around the Hauraki Gulf.

Lion New Zealand will make a sentimental return to this year's Sydney to Hobart yacht race to commemorate the silver anniversary of its victory.

With the late Sir Peter Blake at the helm, the maxi yacht took line honours in the 1984 Sydney to Hobart race ahead of 46 surviving yachts from a field of 152 that started.

On board this year's edition as part of the crew will be Sir Peter's daughter, Sarah Jane Blake.

Sir Peter was killed by pirates in 2001 when he was on an environmental exploration trip off Macapa, Brazil, at the mouth of the Amazon river.

"Commemoration and celebration will be the theme on board Lion New Zealand," said Alistair Moore, who will skipper the boat on the 628 nautical mile race on December 26.

"It's a great honour to be racing on board such a magnificent yacht that has been crewed by many of our country's yachting legends."

A number of the crew include the children of those who helped Lion win in 1984.

Besides Sarah Jane Blake, Conrad Gundry, son of Simon Gundry and Sam Cray, son of Godfrey Cray have both signed on for the race.

"I'm thrilled to be part of the Lion New Zealand Sydney to Hobart crew," Conrad Gundry, 20, said.

"Not only will it be such an incredible experience to compete in one of the world's toughest short course races, but to be sailing like dad did on the yacht 25 years ago is just awesome."

- NZPA