Gary Smith sets sights on historic 10th hine honours crown in Launceston to Hobart race

Gary Smith’s historic pursuit of a 10th Launceston to Hobart line honours victory could signal the end of his career. Here’s why.

Hobart's waterfront is at capacity as sailors from the various races gather in the docks. Launceston to Hobart winner, Fork in the road, arrives in town. Captain Gary Smith is pictured in front of his yacht. Picture: MATT THOMPSON

Hobart skipper Gary Smith is shooting for a record 10th line honours victory in the Launceston to Hobart yacht race this year and if he gets to double figures he might just hang up the sea boots.

With reigning champion Porco Rosso entered in the Sydney-Hobart, Smith’s 45-footer Fork in the Road is the equal-biggest boat in this year’s race.

Fork in the Road heads up the Derwent River for line honours during the 2022 Launceston to Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

Race officials say it is Smith race to lose aboard his all-conquering racer, and it could even be his last hurrah.

Fork in the Road crew after getting line honours during the 2022 Launceston to Hobart. Picture: Chris Kidd

“Gary is going for his 10th win and he’s told me he’s going to hang up the boots after that,” said Derwent Sailing Squadron’s sailing operations manager, Colleen Darcy.

“He’s a very good chance to get it.”

When the 11am gun fires to set the 18th L2H on its way on Friday, Fork and the Road and Andrew Sinclair’s Beneteau First 45-design yacht Audere are expected to lead the charge along the Tama River into Bass Strait.

“With the forecast of a north-westerly, they will fly down the East Coast really quickly,” Darcy said.

This year’s race was reduced by one, with the withdrawal of the 34-footer Craigie Knowe Star Path after one of its crew suffered a medical incident at last weekend.

The XX Factor, Audere and Scaramouche are expected to race in close company, as are the two 30-footers Footloose and The Dog House.

The XX Factor is a South Australian entrant with women making up eight of its nine crew.

Originally published as Gary Smith sets sights on historic 10th hine honours crown in Launceston to Hobart race