It's been almost 20 years since Brindabella smoked the rest of the Sydney to Hobart fleet to claim a famous line honours victory.
Even last year, the people's yacht found herself trudging back into Sydney harbour with her tail between her legs after suffering rudder damage just 50 miles into the race.
This year, in her 21st attempt, she's an outside chance as bookmakers take to defending line honours winner Wild Oats XI and her 100-foot rivals.
But that hasn't dampened the Hobart debut of Wallabies prop Paddy Ryan, who says he's proud to be part of the Jutson 80's distinguished history.
"It still holds the race record for its class, and it's a well-known boat," Ryan told AAP.
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"It may not have the gadgets of the new boat, but when you say to people, `I'm on Brindabella', they know what it is.
"There's a lot of pride associated with this boat."
Ryan, together with NSW Waratahs teammate Jeremy Tilse, form part of a formidable crew that also includes the father-daughter combination of Jim and Julie Cooney.
Julie, whose dad Jim skippers the boat, was born the year Brindabella edged out Hong Kong's Exile to Hobart.
Veteran sailors Bradshaw Kellett and Lindsay May also have over 60 Hobart races between them.
"I'm just an Aussie who loves sport," Ryan said.
"That's how a lot of these guys feel and that's how we attract getting such experienced sailors like Bradshaw and Lindsay, because it's a boat that people really want to be associated with."
Ryan and Tilse aren't the only sailors with Waratah pedigree in the race's 109-boat fleet, with Wallabies star Kurtley Beale and retired Test prop Phil Waugh aboard supermaxi Perpetual Loyal.
Brindabella isn't expected to keep pace with Beale and Waugh's line honours contender, but that hasn't stopped Ryan from throwing some friendly banter at his rugby teammate.
"I just been reminding KB that he's got to get in a do a bit of work, not just drink champagne on the back of their boat like the rest of their celebrities," Ryan said.
