Sponsored for this race by a merchant banker, Helsal III is the third yacht to carry this famous name in Sydney Hobart races. The original Helsal, the so-called 'Flying Footpath' because of the ferro-cement construction, took line honours in 1973. Helsal III recently took line honours in the Gosford to Lord Howe Island Race, slashing seven and a half hours off the record set by Helsal in 1974. Owner Dr Tony Fisher's son Robbie is skippering Helsal III to Hobart.