Helsal II has never finished lower than 6th in a Sydney Hobart fleet since 1979 and her present owner/skipper and his crew hope to maintain this record. Since being based in Adelaide, Helsal II has taken line honours in the 1989 West Coaster Race from Melbourne to Hobart as well as in most major offshore races in SA waters. Sailing master will be one of SA's best-known ocean racing yachtsman, Fred Neil, who will be sharing the helm with Charles Wall-Smith and Ian Flint.