Departing on 27 December each year is the National Pies 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 Festival 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 National 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.com.au.