Sydney Olympics champion Ian Thorpe led a heartfelt tribute to the victims of the recent Bondi mass shooting as he made his debut in the Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race aboard LawConnect. Before the race began, Thorpe and fellow sailors scattered roses into the water off Sydney to honor the 15 lives lost and show solidarity with the Jewish community affected by the tragedy. The gesture was widely praised by both the local and international community, with many commending the sailors for their display of unity and compassion.

The tribute came as the annual yacht race faced its own challenges, including the retirement of the supermaxi Wild Thing 100 due to rigging damage. Despite rough weather and equipment issues, LawConnect and other leading yachts continued their pursuit of victory, with Thorpe embracing the new challenge on the water after his storied swimming career.