Line honours pending after closest race for years

Under grey skies and light rain falling, 84 yachts with more than 600 crew onboard, set sail from Port Melbourne in the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria’s annual Cock of the Bay race to Blairgowrie.

New arrival to the Victorian racing fleet, Leigh Dorrington’s Reichel Pugh Ccr 50 Original Sin has taken provisional line honours, ahead of John Paterson's Farr 45 Rush, which led the fleet across the start line off Port Melbourne at 10.30am. Original Sin crossed the finishing line at the Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron on Mornington Peninsula five hours and twenty-two minutes later and is now awaiting review of a protest.

Rush and Original Sin dual all the way to Blairgowrie Photo Michael Currie

With a strong southerly blowing during the day most of the fleet tacked continuously across the rhumbline to the Mornington mark before easing sheets and enjoying a fast reach to the finish line.

Media boats and news helicopters followed the fleet as they started and with a strong southerly and choppy sea it was time for the crews to work off their Christmas lunch.

At the first mark it was Bryan Dorman’s 60-footer Journey leading the fleet closely followed by Robert Green’s Pacific 50 Dream with Original Sin nipping at their heels.

Rounding the Sandringham mark navigators were put to work plotting the best southerly course to the finish. As they passed the Mornington mark, Race Director Jeremy Walton commented, “I could not see any gaps between the first four yachts. Original Sin, Dream, Journey and Rush. It's going to be close, very close race to the line”

Walton added “the Beneteau First forties have had a magnificent run down the bay” and are nipping at the heels of the bigger boats. As they passed the last mark it was a drag race to the finish. This is one of the best Cock of the Bay races we have seen for years”

For 5 hours the fleet tacked all the way to Blairgowrie Photo Michael Currie.

Race results when finalised will be posted at https://www.orcv.org.au/results/2021-22/2021COB/series.htm?ty=33173

 Provisional Race Result are:

AMS Divison 1:  1st Espirit  2nd Niche, 3rd BKT Jamhu
AMS Division 2: 1st Alibi, 2nd Bacardi 3rd Expresso
AMS Division 3: 1st Mr Bojangles, 2nd Sundowner, 3rd E'toile

ORC Division 1: 1st Espirit, 2nd Wicked, 3rd Niche
ORC Divison 2: 1st Alibi, 2nd Arch De Triomphe 3rd Expresso
ORC Division 3:  1st Sundowner

PHS Division 1:  Espirit  2nd Oobleck  3rd Dream
PHS Division 2:  1st Vixen, 2nd Bacardi 3rd Alibi
PHS Division 3:  1st Sundowner 2nd E'Toile

DH:  1st Team - Alex Macadie 2nd Gusto Solo

Cruising Division 1:  1st Stampede
Cruising Division 2: 1st  Bushranger, 2nd Xpresso, 3rd True Colours (SM444)
Cruising Divison 3:  1st Razzle Dazzle, 2nd Sundowner, 3rd E'Toile

OMR:  1st It's a Privilege

Line Honours:  To be confirmed