Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race

=Race Development=

The concept of the Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race originated when the Geilston Bay Boat Club (in southern Tasmania) suggested to the Derwent Sailing Squadron (also in southern Tasmania) that a Tasmanian yacht race from Launceston to Hobart be run annually to coincide with the Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race. This race was in 2007, for the first time, sailing the East Coast of Tasmania. Previously. this race had sailed the treacherous Tasmanian west coast The race would also be another that would finish at the time of the popular Hobart Summer Festival, which includes the Taste of Tasmania. The concept was supported by the DSS 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 Rules

The race distance is 280 nautical miles and commences at 10:00am on 28 December off Low Head at the mouth of the Tamar River in Launceston. The race route travels the east coast of Tasmania, unusually passing on the western side of Maria Island National Park and finishes at Castray Esplanade, in Hobart, sharing the same finish line as the Heemskirk Consolidated Melbourne to Hobart and Rolex Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races. Yachts are required 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. Yachts are also required to meet a number of stringent safety requirements. The race is governed by the rules of the 2005-2008 Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) together with the prescriptions and safety reguations of Yachting Australia, the International Regulations for the rpevention of Collisions at Sea and, where applicable, the rules and regulations of the International-Rule Club (IRC) where rules 1, 2 and 3 shall apply.

Inaugural Race - 2007

In its inaugural year in 2007, about 30 yachts are expected to participate in a number of classes. The major sponsor for the inaugural race was furniture retailer Clive Peeters, thus the official name of the event is the Clive Peeters Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race.

The inaugural race produced one winner for both line and handicap honours, 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.

Race Divisions

The race offers several divisions for yachts. These are IRC, Performance Development (PHD) and cruising division for monohuls and multihulls.

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.

External links

* [http://l2h.com.au/ Clive Peeters Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race - Official site]
* [http://www.dssinc.org.au/ Derwent Sailing Squadron - Race's official organisaing authority]
* [http://www.tyc.asn.au/ Tamar Yacht Club]
* [http://www.news.com.au/mercury/story/0,22884,22678316-13222,00.html New Offshore Classic - "The Mercury" newspaper]