Launceston to Hobart Race - Tough weather conditions for smaller boats

by Peter Campbell on 26 Dec 2013 Launceston to Hobart Race weather conditions for the smaller boats 'will not be pretty' as they round Tasman Island and head across Storm Bay on Sunday, says Derwent Sailing Squadron sailing secretary Mike Denney.

The Bureau of Meteorology late today forecast westerly winds of 35-45 knots, possible reaching 50 knots throughout Sunday when the bulk of the L2H fleet will be in the Tasman Island – Storm Bay area, less than 40 nautical miles from the finish of the 285 nautical mile race down Tasmania’s East Coast.

Denney stressed, however, that the forecasts were ever-changing. 'With light winds forecast in Bass Strait after the 10am start from Beauty Point, I cannot see a race record, but that may change with have a fast spinnaker run down the East Coast before on Saturday,' he said.

'To break the record the leading yacht will have to finish by 2am Sunday, but I estimate they want cross the line before daylight.

'The bigger boats should get around Tasman before the westerly gale hits, but it is certainly going to be tough for the smaller ones,' Denney added.

The dire forecast for late in the race has already contributed to the withdrawal of Stephen McElwee’s Lawless from the Port Dalrymple Yacht Club, with the owner unable to replace an injured crewman and his wife with experienced offshore racing sailors.

The seventh annual National Launceston to Hobart Race starts off Inspection Head Wharf at Beauty Point at 10am today with a fleet of 27 boats from northern and southern Tasmanian clubs and also from Victoria.

Sporting rivalry between north and south Tasmania will head to sea on Friday in Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race, with two near identical yachts from the Tamar Yacht Club and the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania expected to be strong contenders for overall handicap honours.

Both yachts are Beneteau First 45s, with Richard Fisher’s Believe representing the TYC and Michael Pritchard’s Audère sailing under the burgee of the RYCT.

While Fisher is a widely experienced offshore racing yachtsman, Pritchard is a relative newcomer having previously enjoyed racing his Porsche in the Targa car rallies. However, Pritchard and Audère impressed with their debut event, the Maria Island race last month

While Gary Smith’s The Fork in the Road is hot favourite for line honours, the AMS corrected time results will hinge on the weather.

Both Believe and Audère come from a competitive line of French built yachts, but AMS handicap competition will also from The Fork in the Road, Jeff Cordell’s Host Plus Executive, John Mills NexEdge, Stuart Denny’s The Protagonist and from the smaller boats, Malcolm Cooper’s Kiaulani, Ian Gannon’s Take Five and Stewart Geeves’ Footloose.