d20 minerva
(Roman Mythology)
The Roman goddess of wisdom, strategic warfare, and the arts, often associated with knowledge and skill.
Built in 1954 by Neil Attrill, Minerva has a slightly unusual history. Although built as a Derwent, the finished boat differed significantly from the approved plans and, as a result, she was excluded from racing with the class.
In 2023 she arrived at the Wooden Boat Centre in Franklin, where she underwent an extensive restoration to bring her into compliance with the original Derwent Class specifications.
Relaunched in time for the 2025 Australian Wooden Boat Festival, Minerva finally took her place on the racecourse. She proved immediately competitive, winning two races at the 2025 Derwent Class Worlds and finishing second in another.
After decades on the sidelines, Minerva has now established herself as a competitive addition to the Derwent Class fleet.
