Half ton yachts can either win or do very badly in this race, depending not only upon the skill of the crew, but also the weather. Nonetheless two out of the last five races have been won by yachts of this size. Quetzal is a timber built Cole design of the type that became the Nantucket class, similar to the very successful Shenandoah. Her own results included 12th in the 1979 Hobart, numerous CYCA, LOPS and SOPS wins, and her performance under her new owner will be watched.