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10:30 PM Fri 26 Dec 2008 GMT
 | | 'Competitors getting ready for the firing of the start gun - Clive Peeters Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race 2007'
Kelly Woodward
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Blistering race times are tipped in the challenging 280 nautical mile Clive Peeters' Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race which kicks off today at 2pm.
Race records are expected to topple as the biggest ever fleet lines up to take-on Tasmania's premier off-shore sailing event.
More than 200 competitors are busy making all final checks: scrubbing hulls, tuning rigs and flaking sails, before they head to the start-line at the head of the Tamar River, with the start gun firing at 2pm.
The notorious tide driven Banks Strait is the first hurdle for the thirty-two strong fleet, before heading to the unpredictable inside passage of Maria Island and onwards to the often gale force gusts at Tasman Island.
Yachts will share the finishing line with Sydney to Hobart and Melbourne to Hobart competitors at Castray Esplanade in Hobart.
Inaugural winner Jeff Cordell, who took-out line honors and a handicap victory with a race time of 42 hours with his sleek Mumm 36 Host Plus Executive in 2007, has again shaped up as a front runner.
But Launceston sailing stalwart Nick Edmunds issued a challenge, saying his Radford 14m yacht Haphazard can complete the race in 24 hours if the predicted north-east winds come through.
Garry Smith and Geoff White's Crotty Legal and Dental and Rob Gourlay's Tas Marine Construction are also hot favorites with fast down wind spinnaker driven runs predicted.
L2H race director Peter Geeves said preparations were running smoothly and excitement was building.
'The atmosphere is buzzing with plenty of speculation about who is going to be the line honors victor,'' he said.
'We're going to see a spectacular start today as the skippers try to exercise some authority as they shape up to their competitors to get the best spot on the start line.
'The forecast is fantastic so we anticipate a spinnaker run down the coast which will also be a spectacle to behold and I can tell you it's going to be a very tight competition and potentially a photo finish.'
Competitors are vying for the Sphinx Trophy which is awarded to the line honors winner, as well as IRC and PHS handicap divisions titles.
Check out www.l2h.com.aufor regular race updates and follow the yachts' progress on the Yacht Tracker link.
by Danielle McKay
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Sailing
