The two-handed leads of J-Bird admit they're naturally nervous ahead of the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, that kicks off on Boxing Day at 1pm (AEDT).
Husband and wife Ian and Annika Thomson, who will race J-Bird, prepared early on Thursday morning to set sail with a big crew behind them.
They'll be racing J-Bird for the third consecutive year, and it's their fourth race in the Sydney to Hobart in a row.
"It would be very disrespectful for this race, if we weren't nervous," Annika Thomson told Today on Thursday.
"There's people, they give their whole life for just this race.
Ian and Annika Thomson and crew. Dion Georgopoulos
"We are excited and a little bit nervous to be here."
But the couple understand all the tricks of the trade, and have built a strong crew around them to push for glory.
"This time around, I feel easier, because I trust the boat, I trust the crew," she said.
"We have 15 people on the boat."
As for what is on the menu before they set sail for the race that will finish on Thursday, January 2, Annika, the skipper, has a routine she's keen to keep up with.
"I'm going to have a really good strong coffee and peanut butter sandwhiches," she said.
105 yachts will compete in the 79th edition of the Sydney to Hobart.
23 of those entries are double handed with four 100-foot maxis also in the mix.
The 2023 winner was LawConnect.
