Astor (ex Ada)  is the biggest yacht in the race and perhaps the prettiest creation in the truest sense of the word. She comes from the board of William Fife in Scotland, who also built her. A familiar site on Sydney Harbour for many years, she has never participated in any offshore events until recently purchased by the new owners. Previously rigged as a gaff schooner, she was changed to her present staysail-schooner rig in 1953, thus reducing sail area by 250 ft² and making her easy to handle. Nevertheless, she carries a crew of 16. It is a fair comment on present-day design trends to say that she was built in 1926 and still surpasses most in sheer aesthetic appeal. With the new suit of terylene sails and much enthusiasm on board, she should be a contender for line honours together with the always formidable Kurrewa IV.