Southerly owned by popular Don Mickleborough is having her fifth start in a Hobart race. In 1959 she was placed third to Cherana and Anitra and has finished in the prizewinners in most of the short ocean races. This year she has been re-rigged with larger sail area for the event and at her first start with this new rig won the race to Coogee and back in November. Her rating is slightly higher than in previous years, but, apparently she is sailing much faster and certainly is not without a chance for handicapped placing.