Background information about Mistral II
Mistral II circa 1947
Mistral II was built in 1922. She is a gaff-rigged schooner, currently moored in Hobart’s Constitution Dock while undergoing a ‘mast truck to keel shoe’ restoration.
Mistral II sailed in the first five Sydney to Hobart races. She first entered Constitution Dock some 75 years ago at the completion of the famous first race of the now iconic Sydney to Hobart series.
Mistral II is being restored by the Windeward Bound Trust – ‘Working for young Australians’, after being donated by the family of her late owner Ron Burton.
Over the next few years Mistral II will be fully restored to her original 1922 rig and fitout, with the aim to have substantial works completed in time for her 100th birthday, on 2022.
Mistral II’s restoration work is being partially completed by young Tasmanians who need practical workplace training, skills and confidence to make them job-ready. This innovative job-skills training program is called M.I.S.T.R.A.L. and is run by the Windeward Bound Trust thanks to funding from the Tasmanian Department of State Growth. One group of M.I.S.T.R.A.L. trainees has successfully graduated, with other groups undertaking their training in 2021.
The Windeward Bound Trust is continuing the restoration work with the help of volunteers, partners and supporters even when the young M.I.S.T.R.A.L. trainees aren’t aboard.
On completion, Mistral II will continue to help young people – she’ll join the Windeward Bound fleet here in Tasmania as a sail training vessel, providing life-changing experiences for young people who need a help-up in life. We take them to sea and show them what they’re capable of, and the true meaning of teamwork and responsibility, truly expanding their horizons.
Mistral II is providing new generations of young Tasmanians the work, life and social skills to fully participate in our community.
We’re using history to provide skills and training to create brighter futures.
For more information about this project, to arrange interviews or to organise a visit to Mistral II, please contact us.
Images of Mistral II
Screen shot of Mistral II’s Twitter feed for her 1947 syd-hbt race recreation
