Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race

Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race Departing on 27 December each year is the Launceston to Hobart yacht race. A 285 nautical mile race around the NE & SE of Tasmania

The L2H, as it has become known, has rapidly become a favourite amongst local yachties, providing and affordable, solid ocean race, with the capacity to be home on Christmas Day with family, yet be part of the joyful New Year celebrations on the Hobart waterfront. This iconic annual celebration of racing sees yachts from all three major ocean races, the Launceston to Hobart, Melbourne to Hobart and Sydney to Hobart, battle together up the River Derwent to the finish line, before tying up at the docks in central Hobart to bring in the new year. The Hobart waterfront is a hive of activity during this time, with the internationally renowned Taste of Tasmania running from 28th December to 3rd January. A significant amount of support is available to owners planning to enter, particularly those entering from interstate. Together with the sailing instructions and an information package, the DSS provides assistance for owners wishing to deliver their boat early to the Tamar River start line, leave their boat later in Hobart, and in sourcing delivery crew and a life raft. All yachts are fitted with a yacht tracker so entrants’ family, friends and supporters can follow their race progress on the web through live updates. Trackers are also available for the delivery trip. The L2H is open to all boats over 9 metres, meeting category 3 racing safety requirements, including a life raft. Those who are unsure of entering can be put in touch with a previous L2H competitor with a similar boat to discuss the experience. Those who register their interest early will be sent a race information package and alerted when entries open. For more details, please visit www.l2h-dssinc.org.au.

Official Race Launch - 15 September 2026.Yesterday marked the official launch of the 2026 Knest Modular Homes Launceston...
16/09/2026

Official Race Launch - 15 September 2026.

Yesterday marked the official launch of the 2026 Knest Modular Homes Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race - the 20th anniversary edition of this iconic race. β›΅

The Launceston to Hobart is a true Tasmanian success story, conducted entirely by Tasmanian clubs and proudly supported by Tasmanian businesses throughout its history. A big thank you to the Derwent Sailing Squadron, the Tamar Yacht Club and TasPorts who have underpinned the race since day 1.

This year’s naming-rights sponsor, Knest Modular Homes, shares the race’s commitment to accessibility - making quality homes more accessible to Tasmanians, just as the Launceston to Hobart makes offshore sailing more accessible. We are incredibly grateful for their support.

A big thank you also to 7NEWS Tasmania and The Mercury Newspaper for covering the launch. It is fantastic to see our local media getting behind local events and helping us share this important milestone with the wider community. πŸ™

I Derwent Sailing Squadron I Tamar Yacht Club I Knest Modular I TasPorts I IRC Rating I ORC - Offshore Racing Congress I TasPorts I

π–π„π‹π‚πŽπŒπ„ π“πŽ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐋𝐄𝐄𝐓 – 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄AdvantEdge – Andrew Jones’ slippery Inglis 47, knows exactly what it takes to get to Ho...
14/09/2026

π–π„π‹π‚πŽπŒπ„ π“πŽ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐋𝐄𝐄𝐓 – 𝐀𝐃𝐕𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃𝐆𝐄

AdvantEdge – Andrew Jones’ slippery Inglis 47, knows exactly what it takes to get to Hobart first.

When she last competed in the Launceston to Hobart in 2021, AdvantEDGE claimed line honours, having finished 2nd across the line behind Alive the year before.

It’s a proven offshore rocket ship.

Since that last L2H, the Port Dalrymple Yacht Club stalwart and his team of local Tasmanian sailors have campaigned AdvantEDGE heavily offshore.

In 2022, racing in the 50th anniversary Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race, Andrew and the team finished 2nd on line honours, 3rd on PHS and 4th on AMS, a fabulous result in a strong 49-boat fleet.

Since then, Andrew has added another three Sydney to Hobarts to the program, along with plenty of other Category 2 and 3 racing around the Tasmanian coastline. There won’t be too many crews in this year’s fleet with more recent miles under their belts in these waters.

AdvantEDGE will be looking to add another L2H line honours victory to the pool-room trophies, but that won’t be the only prize in their sights.

With plenty of local knowledge onboard, expect Andrew and his team to be working every shift and corner along Tasmania’s North and East Coasts as they chase the bigger prize; an overall Launceston to Hobart victory.



Derwent Sailing Squadron | Tamar Yacht Club | Knest Modular | ORC - Offshore Racing Congress | IRC Rating | TasPorts | Australian Sailing - Tasmania | Port Dalrymple Yacht Club

π–π„π‹π‚πŽπŒπ„ π“πŽ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐋𝐄𝐄𝐓 – π™π„ππ‡π˜π‘ZEPHYR INSURANCE MASTERS, a Farr 41MX, was built in Auckland and launched in 1995. She has ...
11/09/2026

π–π„π‹π‚πŽπŒπ„ π“πŽ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐋𝐄𝐄𝐓 – π™π„ππ‡π˜π‘

ZEPHYR INSURANCE MASTERS, a Farr 41MX, was built in Auckland and launched in 1995. She has been with her current owner, Ian β€œJono” Johnston, since 2014.

We all know Jono, if there’s a race to be had, Jono will be there. Roasts in the oven, cellar fully stocked and plenty of fun times onboard.

Seriously though, Jono puts together one of the better campaigns in town and has built a brilliant bunch of crew around Zephyr who just love sailing with him.

Representing the Derwent Sailing Squadron, Zephyr completed the 2023 Sydney to Hobart and has plenty of Launceston to Hobart miles under her belt, having competed in the 2016, 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2025 races. Add to that plenty of local distance racing, pennants, twilights and regattas and Zephyr has certainly been kept busy.

There have been plenty of good results along the way too, including wins under IRC, AMS and PHS in various Hobart race series.

In 2021, Zephyr headed north for the Magnetic Island Race Week before cruising around the Queensland islands, a campaign which, by all reports, also produced some of the finest onboard meals ever prepared on a racing yacht.

Jono and his brilliant bunch of crew couldn’t possibly miss the 20th anniversary Launceston to Hobart.

They’ll be looking to put another competitive offshore race in the bank and be right in the reckoning for an overall win, while no doubt also mounting a very serious campaign for best on ground at the L2H crew party.



Derwent Sailing Squadron | Tamar Yacht Club | Knest Modular | ORC - Offshore Racing Congress | IRC Rating | TasPorts | Australian Sailing - Tasmania

π–π„π‹π‚πŽπŒπ„ π“πŽ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐋𝐄𝐄𝐓 - π“πˆπ‹π“After a few years away, it’s fantastic to see Peter and Catherine Cretan’s Marten 49 Tilt bac...
09/09/2026

π–π„π‹π‚πŽπŒπ„ π“πŽ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐋𝐄𝐄𝐓 - π“πˆπ‹π“

After a few years away, it’s fantastic to see Peter and Catherine Cretan’s Marten 49 Tilt back for the 20th anniversary Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race.

Tilt has a fine record in the L2H, having contested the race in 2010, 2012, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020. On the water she has always been at the pointy end of the fleet, living up to her slippery pedigree and proving herself a genuine line honours contender.

In the 10th anniversary race, 2016, Tilt took out the Line Honours victory from our biggest fleet in history with 44 competitors taking to the start line. In 2018, Tilt came agonisingly close to again taking the gun, just pipped for line honours by 10-time line honours winner The Fork in the Road.

Racing under the burgee of the Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania and crewed by a team of long-time β€œTilters”, Peter will be looking to put Tilt right back amongst the front runners, challenging for first-across-the-line bragging rights while also keeping a very close eye on the corrected-time results.

A fast boat, an experienced crew and plenty of L2H history.

Welcome back, Tilt.



Derwent Sailing Squadron | Tamar Yacht Club | Knest Modular | ORC - Offshore Racing Congress | IRC Rating | TasPorts | Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania | Australian Sailing - Tasmania

π–π„π‹π‚πŽπŒπ„ π“πŽ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐋𝐄𝐄𝐓 - π“π„ππ€π‚πˆπ“π˜John Lawrie, one of the great characters of Hobart sailing, brought his Mills 41 Tenacity...
07/09/2026

π–π„π‹π‚πŽπŒπ„ π“πŽ 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐅𝐋𝐄𝐄𝐓 - π“π„ππ€π‚πˆπ“π˜

John Lawrie, one of the great characters of Hobart sailing, brought his Mills 41 Tenacity to Hobart at the beginning of 2023 with a pretty clear goal, to have a crack at a few Sydney to Hobarts in a boat of his own.

And he certainly ticked that box.

Sailing with his great mate Vaughan Lynch as skipper and a bunch of good mates, the proud Bellerive Yacht Club member took Tenacity south in the 2023, 2024 and 2025 Sydney to Hobart Yacht Races, wrapping up the campaign in style with an outstanding 2nd in division in 2025.

John last competed in the Launceston to Hobart in 2021 aboard his Nelson/Marek 43 Quest, finishing 6th across the line and 5th overall on corrected time.

This year he’s back, and this time it’s with Tenacity.

With a quick 41-footer and plenty of offshore miles now under the belt, John and the team will have their sights firmly set on the overall prize, while also looking to mix it with the boats at the pointy end of the fleet for line honours.

It’s great to have John Lawrie and Tenacity joining us for the 20th anniversary Launceston to Hobart.



Derwent Sailing Squadron | Tamar Yacht Club | Knest Modular | ORC - Offshore Racing Congress | IRC Rating | TasPorts | Bellerive Yacht Club | Australian Sailing - Tasmania

π™’π™€π™‡π˜Ύπ™Šπ™ˆπ™€ π™π™Š 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙁𝙇𝙀𝙀𝙏 – π™ƒπ™€π˜Όπ™π™’π˜Όπ™‘π™€ π™π™„π™Žπ™ƒ 𝙁𝙍𝙀𝙉𝙕𝙔Heatwave - Mumm 36 will return to the Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race in 2026...
03/09/2026

π™’π™€π™‡π˜Ύπ™Šπ™ˆπ™€ π™π™Š 𝙏𝙃𝙀 𝙁𝙇𝙀𝙀𝙏 – π™ƒπ™€π˜Όπ™π™’π˜Όπ™‘π™€ π™π™„π™Žπ™ƒ 𝙁𝙍𝙀𝙉𝙕𝙔

Heatwave - Mumm 36 will return to the Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race in 2026 for her eighth race to Hobart.

The Mumm 36 has been based in Hobart since late 2016 and underwent an extensive makeover in 2017. Since then, she has been a regular competitor in Division 1, building a strong record of competitive racing over the past seven years.

With another Launceston to Hobart campaign ahead, the Heatwave crew will be looking forward to getting back on the start line and lining up against familiar rivals for another race south.

We look forward to seeing Heatwave and her crew back in the fleet for the 2026 Knest Modular Homes Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race.



Derwent Sailing Squadron | Tamar Yacht Club | Knest Modular | ORC - Offshore Racing Congress | IRC Rating | TasPorts | Bellerive Yacht Club | Australian Sailing - Tasmania

π—ͺπ—˜π—Ÿπ—–π—’π— π—˜ 𝗧𝗒 π—§π—›π—˜ π—™π—Ÿπ—˜π—˜π—§ – 𝗬A warm welcome back to Y, with skipper Ian Marshall returning for another Launceston to Hobart Y...
26/08/2026

π—ͺπ—˜π—Ÿπ—–π—’π— π—˜ 𝗧𝗒 π—§π—›π—˜ π—™π—Ÿπ—˜π—˜π—§ – 𝗬
A warm welcome back to Y, with skipper Ian Marshall returning for another Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race campaign.

A Runnalls 30 modified to 32 feet by Fred Barrett Yacht Design & Naval Architecture Pty Ltd., Y was launched in 2009 and has previously competed in the race in 2010, 2021 and 2023. Sailing out of Bellerive Yacht Club, Ian is set to take on his 15th Launceston to Hobart, having competed across four different boats over the years.

Ian had planned to call time on his Launceston to Hobart campaigns, but the lure of the 20th running of the race proved too strong.

We’re pleased to see Y and Ian back on the start line for another trip south.



Derwent Sailing Squadron | Tamar Yacht Club | Knest Modular | ORC - Offshore Racing Congress | IRC Rating | TasPorts | Bellerive Yacht Club

π—ͺπ—˜π—Ÿπ—–π—’π— π—˜ 𝗧𝗒 π—§π—›π—˜ π—™π—Ÿπ—˜π—˜π—§ – π—›π—’π—‘π—˜π—¬ 𝗣𝗒𝗧A warm welcome back to Honeypot Sailing, with skipper Nick Mcelwee returning for another...
24/08/2026

π—ͺπ—˜π—Ÿπ—–π—’π— π—˜ 𝗧𝗒 π—§π—›π—˜ π—™π—Ÿπ—˜π—˜π—§ – π—›π—’π—‘π—˜π—¬ 𝗣𝗒𝗧
A warm welcome back to Honeypot Sailing, with skipper Nick Mcelwee returning for another Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race campaign.

The Hick 35 from Port Dalrymple Yacht Club previously competed in the race in 2020, 2021 and 2025, and will be back on the start line for the 2026 20th anniversary race.

Starting on home waters at the top of the Tamar, will that early advantage be enough to see Honey Pot on the podium when she arrives in Hobart?

We look forward to welcoming Honey Pot and her crew back to the fleet for the 2026 Knest Modular Homes Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race.



Derwent Sailing Squadron | Tamar Yacht Club | Knest Modular | ORC - Offshore Racing Congress | IRC Rating | TasPorts | Port Dalrymple Yacht Club

πŸ’₯πŸ’₯WELCOME TO THE FLEET – B&G EXCALIBURπŸ’₯πŸ’₯Excalibur returns to the Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race in 2026 with skipper Ro...
14/08/2026

πŸ’₯πŸ’₯WELCOME TO THE FLEET – B&G EXCALIBURπŸ’₯πŸ’₯

Excalibur returns to the Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race in 2026 with skipper Rob Cumine at the helm.

The Young 88 successfully completed the race in 2024, before having to withdraw from the 2025 event. After a year away, it’s great to see Excalibur back on the start line and ready to take on the race south once again.

We look forward to seeing Excalibur and her crew back in the fleet for the 2026 Knest Modular Homes Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race.

ENTER NOW: https://l2h-dssinc.org.au/



Derwent Sailing Squadron | Tamar Yacht Club | ORC - Offshore Racing Congress | TasPorts | IRC Rating

UPDATE: Welcome to the fleet Tenacity Yachting!! Our 20th entrant!!🚨 19 ENTRIES… WHO’S GOING TO BE NUMBER 20? 🚨We’ve jus...
14/08/2026

UPDATE: Welcome to the fleet Tenacity Yachting!! Our 20th entrant!!

🚨 19 ENTRIES… WHO’S GOING TO BE NUMBER 20? 🚨

We’ve just hit 19 entries for the 20th Knest Modular Homes Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race!

To celebrate, we’re giving our 20th entrant a little extra incentive, a FREE bottle of Kraken Rum.

So, if you’ve been thinking about entering, now’s the time! Get your entry in and you could be boat number 20.

Entries are filling fast β€” don’t miss out!

ENTER NOW: https://l2h-dssinc.org.au/race-documents/

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