A seven-year wait for another chance to race the Sydney to Hobart will finally end for an unlikely crew.
Travelling more than 15,000 kilometres from Gdynia to Sydney, Polish sailor Przemyslaw Tarnacki will skipper Noahs II.
It will be Tarnacki's second attempt at the bluewater classic, last leading a Polish crew on Weddell in his first Hobart in 2017.
The four-time Sopot Match Race World Cup winner was ready to make the 628 nautical mile journey the following year.
But the search for a new boat took longer than expected for Tarnacki, who is now ready to skipper one of 16 international boats lining up in Sydney on Boxing Day.
It wasn't until Noahs II - owned by Johannes Schwarz - became available that Tarnacki could resume his campaign.
Noahs II is the former Ichi Ban, which was originally owned by Sydney-Hobart veteran Matt Allen and Grant Wharington.
She crossed the line second in her first Hobart in 2006 and raced until 2014, running the final two as Southern Excellence before being upgraded by Noahs Yacht Club owner Ting Lee in 2018.
"We were ready to come back, but we were waiting seven years for a proper boat because we were looking for a solid boat," Tarnacki said.
"It might be rough on the way, and at the same time (we wanted) a good, well-performing boat.
"The boat is really a beast.
"We are extremely happy to be back here, with 15 people from Poland."
Tarnacki - known to friends as 'Tarna' - said his crew consisted mostly of amateurs, who are members of their local racing club.
But they will be joined by world-renowned British sailor Brian Thompson as their navigator.
Thompson, regarded as one of the fastest offshore sailors on the planet, is the first Briton to break the round-the-world record twice and is also the first to sail non-stop around the world four times.
"His mother is Polish, which is a nice story to our relation," Tarnacki said.
Half a world away from his hometown on the Baltic coast, Tarnacki said his crew's involvement in Australia's most famous offshore race has become a source of national pride.
"It's a great opportunity for us and also (the race is) quite recognisable in Poland," Tarnacki said.
"TV Poland, which is like Polish BBC and the nation's number one TV station, is broadcasting every day of us from here, so it's really lovely.
"In our hometown, Gdynia, it is now minus three, so for sure it is the place to be right now. I love Sydney.
"We have great memories from 2017, and nothing can change that."
