After initially vowing never to do another Sydney to Hobart, Rachel Beck, the wife of supermaxi LawConnect's owner, is back this year following a tough maiden race in 2021.
Beck only started sailing regularly in 2020 and was going to compete in the race for the first time that year, before it became one of the many sporting events cancelled due to COVID-19.
She joined husband Christian on board last year in what turned out to be one of the most difficult races in recent years, with 38 of the 88 fleet retiring.
"There was a huge storm and the swell was huge which was creating a lot of waves and the boat was smashing against that constantly, as well as having the hard wind and rain hitting you in the face," Rachel Beck told AAP.
"We (Christian and I) didn't spend a lot of time upstairs hanging out the boat because of the weather, it was a bit too dangerous for the newbies."
Weather aside, Beck said there were other challenges and learnings from last year's race in which LawConnect finished second across the line.
"I brought probably a lot of extra clothes that I didn't need because you don't really change the whole three days you are there, so packing a little bit lighter (this year)," Beck said.
"But also being a little more prepared for the unexpected, we had a fair few things go wrong on the boat last year.
"One of them was the toilet breaking so that was very challenging for me, being the only female on a boat with 20 males and not having a toilet to use, so that was a little bit embarrassing, but probably not the worst thing that happened on the boat.
"We had a water pipe burst that soaks the main computer and the navigation systems, so that caused us to be situated in waters with minimal wind.
"That was very challenging because you could see (eventual line honours winner) Black Jack overtaking you and there's not really much you can do about, it because they are a lighter boat and we need a lot of wind to be faster than them."
Asked if she had any reservations after her first Hobart race about doing another, Beck said "100 per cent".
"When I got to the end in Hobart and I had some family and friends there it was like 'how was it, would you do it again next year?'
"I was like 'absolutely not, get me on land right now'.
"But I think looking back and feeling the excitement and the adrenalin and as the days pass you go 'I can't believe that's over, that went so quickly.'
"Then you start having those thoughts 'I wouldn't mind doing this again."
Beck hoped weather conditions this year would allow her to play a more active role, including helping out with sail changes.
