This will be Southerly's third start in the Hobart event. In 1958 she retired from the race off Bermagui because of a bad leak which had developed. Upon return to Sydney she was repaired and strengthened and proved her worth by running third in last year's Hobart Race. The owner, skipper Don Mickleborough has now made many modifications to the boat, re-rigged her and made her into a masthead sloop in hopes that he can take out first place on handicap this year.