Ruthean, skippered by Vic Toll, is Lake Macquarie's entrant in this years race. A Laurent Giles design, launched in Hobart 1952, she has already competed twice in 1952 and 1953. Due to her size, it is difficult to leave her home waters at Lake Macquarie. With the dredging of the channel this year Vic Toll has again accepted the challenge of the Hobart Race and with excellent results on the Lake this season, her performance in this crack fleet will be watched with interest, particularly by the Newcastle enthusiasts.