A late entry in the race, Alive, a Reichel-Pugh 66, sailed by a Tasmanian crew pulled together from some of the boat's regulars when in Hobart, was the first boat to Low Head, and is expected to break the race record of one day, nine hours, 33 minutes and 58 seconds, which was set in 2009.

It was a tough start for the 31-boat fleet which started the race in very light conditions at Inspection Head, Beauty Point, on the Tamar River, at 11:30 on Sunday.

Talofa, a Northshore 38 owned by Rob and Judi Cawthorn and a regular in the L2H race, was squeezed out on the start line and had to restart the race, while Black Magic, skippered by Bellerive Yacht Club Commodore, Graham Mansfield, was becalmed before the race, giving the fleet a 10-minute advantage.

The L2H is one race of a three-race series sailed over the Christmas and New Year period.

ELSEWHERE IN SPORT

Race one is from the start of the L2H to Low Head, the second race in the series is the race to Hobart, while race three is the King of the Derwent, sailed in Hobart on January 2, 2021.

Victorian entry, Dream, skippered by Robert Green, had a solid start to the race after a long absence from racing due to the COVID-19 lockdown in Melbourne, winning the race to Low Head on PHS and ORCi overall.

The Quest Syndicate, sailing from the Lindisfarne Sailing Club and skippering Quest in her first L2H race, was the first to Low Head on AMS, while The Dog House, skippered by Ambrose Coad and with Benjamin Coad, the youngest competitor in the race on board, was first overall on IRC.

It was a disappointing day for Windrose with skipper Ashok Mani retiring the 1961 Admiral's Cup winner 90 minutes after the start as a precautionary measure after identifying a few issues of concern with the boat.

At 5pm, Alive was leading the race to Hobart on line honours and ORCi.

FULL GALLERY: Pictures by Phillip Biggs

Rumbeat, skippered by Justin Barr, was leading on PHS in division 2 and overall, while Quest was leading on PHS in division 1.

Talofa had recovered well from her slow start and was leading on AMS overall and division 2, as well as on IRC in division 2, while Jeff Cordell's Mumm 36, B&G Advantage, was leading on AMS in division 1.

The forecast for the rest of Sunday is for west to south-westerly winds averaging 25 to 35 knots for Banks Strait and adjacent areas, very gusty in the late evening and persisting into early Monday morning before easing to 10-15 knots (average) by 8.00am Monday.

The fleet will take on the challenges of Banks Strait overnight before heading down the spectacular east coast of Tasmania.

Paul Buchholz's Cookson 50 Extasea started towards the back of the fleet but the race favourite hit the front only 1600 metres into the only interstate yacht race taking place across the Christmas period.

Poised to compete with the race record thanks to strong south-westerly winds, Extrasea is expected to hit Devonport after first light Monday morning.