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11:17 PM Wed 17 Dec 2008 GMT
A Record breaking race is tipped for the 2008 Clive Peeters Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race as the long range weather forecast suggests favorable conditions.
The predictions have seen Garry Smith and Geoff White's Crotty Legal and Dental and Rob Gourlay's Tas Marine Construction emerge as favorites for line honors glory.
Smith has even suggested the predicted conditions could see his light weight 45 ft Blackwell White design complete the 280 nautical mile race in 30 hours.
If Smith's prediction is correct it will shave a massive 12 hours off the 2007 inaugural race winning time set by Jeff Cordell and his crew aboard Host Plus Executive.
L2H race director Peter Geeves said competitors would be travelling so fast they wouldn't have time to take in the scenery between the Tamar and the Derwent.
'The fleet will line up at 2pm on the 27th and from there they'll speed down the coast,' Geeves said.
'If the long range weather predictions come through then I'd say the fleet could potentially travel at blistering speeds and set a pretty tough record for future competitors to break.''
Canberra based meteorologist Ken Batt, who has 40 years experience, said a weak-high pressure system in Bass Strait should see competitors start in light variable winds, which would build to a steady north east breeze of 15 knots in the late afternoon.
'They will be very favorable starting conditions for most of the yachts,'' Batt said.
Day two of competition will see a nor-east breeze continue at an average of 10 knots, building to 20 knots later in the day.
Batt said day three would see competitors face a difficult decision of whether to venture offshore in pursuit of a solid nor-west tending southerly breeze; or stick to the coast which will host light and variable winds.
'On the 29th the low will move to the west causing winds closer to the shore to become light and flicky, but it should generate strong winds about 20 knots or more further off shore,'' he said.
'Whether a boat chooses to remain inshore or venture offshore could be the decision that divides the fleet.'
Batt said competitors would face the most challenging conditions late on day three.
'Yachts coming up to Tasman Island and even in Storm Bay late on the 29th will be punched by a strong south-wester more than 30 knots,' Batt said.
Winds will ease on December 30 with 12 knots from the south east predicted.
'It's only very early stages yet, so crews can't count too much on the predictions, though they can be a good indication,' Batt said.
Smith was thrilled with the forecast, saying winds from the north east would see his Bakewell White designed yacht in its ideal conditions.
'The long range forecast does sound great,' he said.
'Given the right conditions there is every chance that we'll get up because we're an excellent downwind and reaching yacht.
'We're a light weight boat with a big rig so if the conditions are aft of the beam we'll fly down the coast and possibly be home in 30 hours.''
Though there is a sense of uncertainty in the Crotty Legal and Dental camp.
Despite the yacht having won 11 of the 12 pennant races this year, it is untested in off-shore conditions.
But fellow owner and sailor Geoff White said he was confident the boat would hold strong in the challenge.
'We haven't had her out of the Derwent yet so there it is a case of the unknown,'' White said.
'But she's designed for a Sydney to Hobart race so I have every confidence she's up for the rigors of offshore racing.''
Smith and White said they would keep a close watch on sports boat Tas Marine Construction skippered by Gourlay, nephew of famed round the world yachtsman Ken Gourlay.
'Given these conditions it won't just be us who can get our boat going,' Smith said.
Gourlay said the predictions were prefect to see the Thompson 920 steam home.
'Anything light to medium with cracked sheets or down wind runs is perfect for us,' Gourlay said.
'In those conditions we can comfortably hit more than 20 knot boat speed so it could be a fast race down the coast.'
Other top contenders include defending champion Jeff Cordell's Host Plus Executive and Tamar Yacht Club stalwart Nick Edmund aboard Haphazard.
Handicap favorites include Redback skippered by David O'Neill and Rod Viney's Prion.
The L2H fleet has increased by half with more than 35 yachts competing.
Yachts will finish at Castray Esplanade along with the Sydney to Hobart and Melbourne to Hobart competitors.
Race categories include IRC, Performance Handicap and monohulls will also have the option of the cruising division.
The converted Sphinx Tea Trophy will be awarded to the line honors champion.
by Danielle McKay
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Lord Howe Island Windy Point, NSW
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