Rivals join forces for L2H race bid

Bellerive Yacht Club members Jeff Cordell and Ian Stewart are normally arch rivals when it comes to yacht racing, but on Sunday they will join forces in a bid to win the Launceston to Hobart Yacht Race.

Their annual race for the so-called ‘Mumm 36 World Championship’ is legendary among River Derwent sailors, Cordell sailing B&G Advantage (previously named Host Plus Executive) and Stewart his opponent in Tas Paints.

Cordell sailed his Mumm 36 to line and handicap honours in the inaugural National Pies Launceston to Hobart Race in 2007 and, with his sights set on a second handicap victory, he has enlisted Stewart and another Tas Paints crew member, Jim Thorpe, to sail in the L2H.

The 285 nautical mile race, with a fleet of 29 boats, starts from Beauty Point on the River Tamar at 1.30pm on Sunday.

“In Ian and Jim we have on board a couple of great sailors who we normally race against,” Jeff Cordell said yesterday.

“I reckon there will be great competition in mid-fleet, between B&G Advantage, Ciao Baby 2, Martela, It Happens, Magellan and Next Edge.”

Discussing the weather outlook, Cordell added: “It looks like it will be a tricky Sunday night and early Monday…sailing through Banks Strait and then down the Tasmanian East Coast.

“The outlook is for very light airs and it will be difficult to get offshore and into the southerly current and strong wind. It will certainly be a good one for the light boats.”

Cordell said he hoped Ultimate Challenge would make it to Beauty Point in time to start in the race after its major refit and delayed start.

After a series of delays, the one-time Admiral’s Cup team yacht and 1989 Sydney Hobart winner did not leave Hobart on the 285 nautical mile delivery voyage north until Thursday afternoon,  facing strong northerly headwinds.

“We hope the winds will drop so that they cans sailor or motor up the coast fast,” Cordell added. “Whatever happens, they will only just make it and it would be grand to see them start.”

At last report,  Ultimate Challenge had taken on extra crew at Triabunna and hoped to reach Beauty Point in time for tomorrow’s 1.30pm start of the L2H.

Peter Campbell

26 December  2015