‘Thorpedo’ Trades Pool for the Tasman: Ian Thorpe to Debut in 80th Sydney Hobart
By Sydney Times Sports Correspondent Saturday, December 20, 2025
RUSHCUTTERS BAY — Australia’s most decorated Olympian, Ian Thorpe, is set to face the most grueling 628 nautical miles of his life. In a move that has stunned both the swimming and sailing worlds, the five-time gold medalist confirmed he will join the crew of the Supermaxi LawConnect for the 80th anniversary of the Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race.
The man known globally as “The Thorpedo” has been “secretly preparing” for the bluewater classic for months, undergoing rigorous Safety & Sea Survival Training to prepare for the notorious conditions of the Bass Strait.
LAWCONNECT, Sail n: SYD1000, OWNER/SKIPPER: Christian Beck, STATE: NSW, DESIGN: Juan K 100 Custom, LOA: 100, “30, 5”, CLASS: IRC, YEAR BUILT: 2008
A New Kind of Water
While Thorpe spent his career dominating the controlled environment of a 50-meter pool, he admits that the open ocean presents a vastly different challenge.
“I’ve spent my life in and around water, but this is a completely different test, both mentally and physically,” Thorpe said during the fleet launch at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia (CYCA). “Joining the LawConnect team is an opportunity to push myself, learn something new, and be part of an incredible Australian sporting tradition.”
Thorpe has already successfully completed two major “test runs” with the team:
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Cabbage Tree Island Race: His offshore debut on December 5, where LawConnect secured a second-place finish.
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SOLAS Big Boat Challenge: A high-speed sprint around Sydney Harbour earlier this week, proving he can handle the high-intensity maneuvers required on a 100-foot racing machine.
The Quest for the Three-Peat
Thorpe joins a team at the peak of its powers. Owned and skippered by tech mogul Christian Beck, LawConnect is the two-time defending Line Honours champion. If they reach Hobart first this year, they will achieve a rare “three-peat,” a feat not seen since Wild Oats XI’s historic run.
Beck, who often brings non-professional sailors onto his boat to make the sport more accessible, said Thorpe’s inclusion is about more than just celebrity.
“Thorpie is one of Australia’s greatest athletes. Having him join LawConnect not only brings an incredible story to this year’s race but highlights our commitment to doing things differently,” Beck said.
The boat will be a family affair for the Becks this year, with Christian’s wife, Rachel, and his 18-year-old son, Indy, also part of the 20-plus person crew.
Thorpe’s Role on Board
While his specific station is being kept close to the chest by sailing master Tony Mutter, Thorpe is expected to serve as part of the powerhouse “grinding” team—a role that demands the explosive upper-body strength and endurance for which the swimmer is famous.
The physical toll of the race is no small matter. Last year’s race saw two fatalities in separate incidents during gale-force winds, a sobering reminder of the stakes involved in the “Great Race South.”
Viewing the ‘Thorpedo’ in Action
Fans can watch Thorpe and the LawConnect crew begin their journey on Boxing Day:
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Start Time: 1:00 PM (AEDT), December 26.
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Live Broadcast: Channel 9 and 9Now.
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Digital: The CYCA will provide a dedicated livestream via YouTube (CYCATV), a feature Beck pioneered to bring fans closer to the action on deck.
