The Launceston to Hobart yacht race is a 285 nautical mile race, commencing at Beauty Point on the Tamar River, across eastern Bass Strait, through Bansk Strait and south down Tasmania's East Coast, through Mercury Passage between mainland Tasmania and Maria Island, across Storm Bay, to a finish line in the Derwent River. The race departs on the 27 December each year. The race is known as the L2H race (Launceston to Hobart) despite the race commencing at Beauty Point, some 45 north of Launceston .
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Race Development
A suggestion for a Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race originated with the Geilston Bay Boat Club (in southern Tasmania) suggesting to the Derwent Sailing Squadron (also in southern Tasmania) that a Tasmanian yacht race from Launceston to Hobart could be run annually to coincide with the Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race.
In 2007, for the first time, the Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race (M2H) allowed entrants to sail to Hobart via the East Coast of Tasmania. Previously, this race had sailed the treacherous Tasmanian west coast.
The objective was that three yacht races, Sydney to Hobart, Melbourne to Hobart and Launceston to Hobart would a finish at the time of the popular Hobart Summer Festival, which includes the Taste of Tasmania. The concept was supported by the Derwent Sailing Squadron Vice Commodore Peter Geeves and the Sailing Committee and, after gaining cooperation from the Tamar Yacht Club, the race concept was confirmed.
On Tuesday 30 October 2007, Hobart Lord Mayor Rob Valentine launched the race at a ceremony held at the Derwent Sailing Squadron. Attending the launch were senior representatives from Clive Peeters, Commodores from the Derwent Sailing Squadron, Bellerive Yacht Club and Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania, Life Members of the Derwent Sailing Squadron, competitors and race officials.
Race Details and Sailing Instructions
The race distance is 285 nautical miles (528 km) and commences on the 27 December off Inspection Head on the Tamar River at Beauty Point. Prior to the 2009 race started at Low Head at the mouth of the Tamar River in Launceston and race distance was 285 nautical miles (528 km). The race commences mid river, adjacent to the docks at Inspection at Beauty Point and the course is north and out the month of the Tamar River at Low Head into Bass Strait, east along the northern coast of Tasmania, through Banks Strait, then south along the east coast, through Mercury Passage (as Maria Island is a mark of the course to requiring competitors to clear the Island to port), around Tasman Island, across Storm Bay and up the Derwent River, to a finish line off Castray Esplanade. The Launceston to Hobart shares the same finish line as the Melbourne to Hobart and Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races.
The Sailing Instructions require yachts to be a minimum of 8.5 metres in length, although those who do not meet these requirements may be granted permission to participate in the cruising division. The race is governed by the rules of the Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) together with the prescriptions and safety regulations of Yachting Australia, the International Regulations for the Prevention of Collisions at Sea and, where applicable, the rules and regulations of the International-Rule Club (IRC) where rules 1, 2 and 3.
Race Divisions
The race offers several divisions for yachts. These are International Racing Certificate (IRC), Australian Measurement System (AMS), Performance Handicap System (PHS) and cruising division for monohuls and multihulls.
Under L2H race rules, the Overall Winner is the yacht with the lowest corrected time under AMS handicaps. Previously, the Overall Winner has been eligible for only one trophy and, as a result, the next three boats moved up one place in the AMS and PHS handicap categories. The rules have been changed for the 2012 L2H to enable the Overall Winner to also receive the trophies for any Divisional first places on corrected time.
Race Trophy
The overall winner of the race, or the handicap winner, collects a perpetual trophy known as the Sphinx Tea Trophy. The trophy is affectionately known as "The Teapot" due to its original use serving tea to the Governor of Tasmania. It was later awarded to George Chevert, the skipper of a yacht named Mabel that won a Derwent Sailing Squadron pennant in 1893.
Sponsorship
The major sponsor for the inaugural race was furniture retailer Clive Peeters, thus the official naming of the event as the Clive Peeters Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race. The race in 2008 was also known as the 2009 Clive Peeters Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race, in 2009 the Sargisons Jeweller L2H Race, in 2010 the Sargisons Jewellers and Natuzzi L2H Race, in 2011 the Optus L2H Race, in 2012 The Good Guys L2H and 2013,2014 and 2015 as the National Pies Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race.
Inaugural Race - 2007
In its inaugural year in 2007, 17 yachts participated in a number of classes. The inaugural race produced one winner for both line and handicap honors, that being Host Plus Executive who achieved in the inaugural race what Rani did in the inaugural Sydney to Hobart Yacht Race and winning the treble.
Line honors winners
1 Race distance was increase in 2009 (280 to 285 nautical mile course). The 2009 race started from Inspection Head on the Tamar River at Beauty Point instead of at Low Head at the mouth of the river, increasing the length of the race to 285 nautical mile.
2 Only seven finishers in fleet.
DSS - Derwent Sailing Squadon; RYCT - Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania; BYC - Bellerive Yacht Club;
Overall winners
1 Emotional Rescue was the provisional overall winner, but Mr Burger (Wings Three) lodged an appeal with the jury, seeking redress for time lost in going to the aid of follow competitor Rumbeat. Rumbeat had lost steering near Waterhouse Island in Bass Strait and was towed by Mr Burger. The L2H jury granted Mr Burger redress for the time lost. Both yachts had the same corrected time after the application of the redress and were declared joint overall winners.