A generous new owner, some old crewmates and good old fashioned TLC has Sydney to Hobart legend Brindabella primed to produce her best performance in several years.
About to contest her 18th Hobart, Brindabella took line honours in 1999 when she set a race record for a conventionally ballasted boat.
Since then, the stylish 79-foot boat has been overtaken in the speed department by several larger and quicker yachts.
However, new owner Jim Cooney has spent plenty on refurbishing the boat and has also recruited some of the original Brindabella crew including famed navigator Lindsay May, who will contest the race for the 38th time.
May was initially supposed to sail on 2006 overall winner Love & War, but after that boat was withdrawn accepted an invitation to join Brindabella.
"I don't think I'm emotional about it, it's another opportunity to go south which I like doing and I'm just pleased to be on this boat," May told AAP.
"The guys to a degree understand the history of the boat, that helps to bring them together.
"The owner has spent a lot of money getting systems replaced and the crew have worked pretty hard.
"We've been fairly diligent about what we've had to do and the boat has had a complete paint job, she's back in her original livery which looks great and everybody is very proud to be on the boat.
"They've taken a big interest in making her look good. Now the next thing we've got to do is make her look good on the racetrack."
May said Brindabella's original owner and skipper George Snow was delighted to see the work which had gone into his old boat.
Cooney said his hope now was that the famous old boat would perform to the best of her ability.
"Our inspiration on taking on the boat was to restore her to her best, we like the way Brindabella looks and she's a stylish boat and has got every chance of performing the best she can," Cooney said.
"The rest of it is up to the crew. I'm happy that we've spent all of this year refurbishing, fitting and replacing all of the electrics and (put in) new sails.
"She's had a general clean up and a bit of love. We would like to think she's ready to go as fast as she ever could. The rest of it is up to us."
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