AUSTRALIA’S most sustainable vessel, J-Bird, is aiming to win the 2024 Rolex Sydney to Hobart yacht race, with the first female skipper ever to do so.
J-Bird’s registered home is Airlie Beach, and it is owned by Annika and Ian Thomson, who are members of the Whitsunday Sailing Club and call the Whitsundays their ‘spiritual home’.
J-Bird is a pioneering, zero-emissions racing yacht (the first ocean racing vessel of its kind in Australian waters) and is sponsored by Ocean Crusaders Foundation.
The foundation was established by the Thomsons, in 2010, and educates people on the need to look after oceans and waterways, whilst cleaning them up through commercial and community events.
“We’re once again tackling the prestigious Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race, on Boxing Day, this year, with local sailors Leo Rodriguez and Ambi Middleton on our crew,” Mrs Thomson, who will be the skipper, said.
“Proudly representing the Whitsunday Sailing Club, this year we are showcasing the Whitsundays on the Rolex ‘Spirit of Yachting’ documentary.
“Ocean Crusaders J-Bird is one of only two vessels in the fleet with a dedicated Rolex cameraman onboard.
“Our journey will be documented and broadcast internationally in 60 countries and on CNN, in the USA, providing unparalleled exposure for the Whitsunday region and giving sponsors an audience like no other yacht in the race.
“This is a unique opportunity for our region to shine nationally and internationally.”
Mrs Thomson said their campaign included the great race, on Boxing Day, ‘where we start on the front line with the other top yachts’.
As well, there will be an Ocean Sustainability Conference, as part of the official race program, and a corporate clean-up prior to the race, maximizing exposure to the broader community.
“This year, we will feature only businesses from the Whitsunday region on the yacht,” she said.
“Don’t miss out on this incredible opportunity with Ocean Crusaders J-Bird featuring on the Rolex Spirit of Yachting.”
With major sponsor placements on the sails – and additional opportunities for minor sponsors on the hull and a signboard at the dock – local businesses can gain remarkable exposure to a global audience.
Ocean Crusaders is Australia’s, and Sweden’s, premier waterway cleaning team, removing on average 195 tonnes of debris from waterways every year.
Ocean Crusaders has a following of more than 22,000 people on social media.
“We launched J-Bird to promote sustainability in the sailing industry and have become Australian sailing’s sustainability ‘go to’ organisation,” Mrs Thomson said.
“Our unique position in the industry provides us with more coverage than your average race yacht. In the 2023 Rolex Sydney to Hobart that coverage equated to $285,000.”
Meet the team
Ian Thomson – Founder/managing director Ocean Crusaders Foundation
• Founded charity off the back of his solo, around-Australia monohull record, in 2010
• Sailed in five Rolex Sydney to Hobart campaigns with a division win and two podium places to his name
• Australia’s premier expert on debris in waterways having personally been involved in removing over 1,000 tonnes of debris since 2010.
Annika Thomson – Co-founder Ocean Crusaders Foundation.
• A professional skipper for over 18 years
• Australia’s leading female offshore skipper and sailing influencer
• Has competed in three Rolex Sydney to Hobart races winning the Jane Tate Memorial Trophy (first female skipper across the line) in 2022 and 2023
• Has never been beaten across the line by a female in any offshore race whilst skipper of J-Bird.
