Nine Dragons was acquired by Bob Cox in September 2011. Her first offshore race her new owner was the Pittwater to Coffs Harbour race earlier this year, where Nine Dragons finished second overall on IRC.

More recently, Nine Dragons also completed the full season of IRC racing at Middle Harbour Yacht Club, winning scratch and IRC in the open division for the spring, summer and annual series. Cox and his crew will approach the Audi Sydney Gold Coast Yacht Race cautious optimism.