Aussie round-the-world sailor Jessica Watson opens up about the tragic reason she's back to compete in the Sydney to Hobart race

Australian sailor Jessica Watson is returning to compete in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race in 2023 to honour her late boyfriend after he died suddenly after suffering a stroke aged just 29.

Watson faced plenty of challenges when she sailed solo around the world at just 16 years of age, but none of that could compare to the intense grief she felt after Cameron Dale died in 2021.

The pair met in 2011 while Watson skippered the yacht Another Challenge in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race and Dale was part of the crew.

They were about to begin working on the filming of the movie 'True Spirit' about Watson's life when Cam suffered a minor stroke.

He then went on to suffer a catastrophic stroke while receiving treatment in the Gold Coast University Hospital, passing away on August 30, 2021.

Watson says Cam will be there in spirit when she sails aboard the yacht Azzuro in this year's famous race to Tasmania. 

'He's always there,' Watson told News Corp.

'I feel like I have Cam in my ear saying, "It's a crazy idea but give it a go".

'It is so important to stay connected [to sailing]. It helps make me so much better.

'He is part of all my sailing.'

The cause of Cam's stroke was high blood pressure, something he did not know he suffered from until he was hit by the tragedy.

Part of the reason why Watson has returned is to raise awareness about the condition.

Through her grief, Watson has relied on sailing to get through, using it as a way to reconnect with Cam after his passing.

'I just love sailing more than ever,' she said.

'Cam passing away made me lean into sailing. I wish everyone did it. 

'There's nothing better than being on the water, and the sailing community is incredible.'

Earlier this year Watson shared a moving tribute to the late love of her life.

She posted candid snap taken in 2019, showing her kissing him on the cheek as the pair ride the New York subway. 

'Did you know hypertension (high blood pressure in plain speak) is the leading risk factor of stroke?' she wrote in her caption.

'Australia's Biggest Blood Pressure Check is running throughout May and it's World Hypertension Day today, and I'm making the pledge to check my blood pressure. It's actually not something I've asked my doctor to check recently. Of all people, I should know better!

'Please do the same and remind (or better harass, nag, insist!) your mates to - no matter how young and healthy they are.'