Comanche co-owner Kristy Hinze-Clark has opted against sailing in the Sydney to Hobart.
Renowned for her competitiveness, Australian-born model Hinze-Clark had expressed a desire to be aboard the new American supermaxi for the great race.
She had taken turns on the wheel during the recent Big Boat Challenge and for at least one other run on Sydney Harbour.
However, the mother of two young children has decided not to take part in a race for which strong southerly winds of up to 30 knots are forecast for the first night.
"Kristy has decided to pass on this trip due to the weather forecast for the first part of the race combined with mothering duties, with a four-month-old and a three-year-old," Comanche skipper Ken Read said on Thursday.
"Kristy is new to offshore sailing and has smartly decided that her first night at sea probably shouldn't be in 30 knots of wind and big waves.
"It seems like a smart choice to me, although her competitive nature didn't bring her to this decision easily."
Accomplished yachtsman Read and Jim Clark - Hinze-Clark's husband and fellow boat owner - have assembled a top notch crew, including Australia's male World Sailor of the Year James Spithill and renowned American navigator Stan Honey.
The Sydney to Hobart is the first major race for Comanche, which was launched two months ago.
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