Melbourne To Vanuatu (M2V)
Your best pair of Shorts.
The late Andrew Short showed up for the Portsea start of the inaugural Ocean Racing Club of Victoria Melbourne to Vanuatu in 2006 with his VO60, 'Andrew Short Marine'. NOR2, the old 'Kvaerner' then 'Djuice' trialhorse, went on to get Line Honours and as such, holds the record for this 1885nm haul up North into the delightful Coral Sea.
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'Andrew Short Marine' won Line Honours in the inaugural M2V of 2006 in the time of 07:17:06:00. The VO60 is seen here at anchor in Port Vila. They had arrived a few days before the opposition. |
Now in 2008, his Brother Matthew and a whole cast of the extended family, smashed the Melbourne to Hobart West record by over five hours. No mean feat in itself. It was also over a day shorter than the last time he did it as kid with his Mum and Dad and two of his Brothers, so that really is something.
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| Matthew Short and the whole extended gang showed up in 'Shortwave' to smash the M2H West record in 2008. |
Well then, the question becomes will Matthew bring his TP52 'Shortwave' to the 2010 Melbourne to Vanuatu (M2V) and have a go at his Brother's record? I do not know. Let's hope so, as it is clear that the M2V is going to become a genuine long-haul classic like the Cape to Rio and the TransPac. It's also a really good way to get the boat up to Northern latitudes ready for Hamilton Island. So much so, that the first entries are already in!
Could we in fact see the Lutra 80, currently under construction at McConaghys, on the start line as a way to get closer to its home in the Med? It would be tremendous to have a pocket maxi like 'Loki', 'Limit', 'Black Jack' or 'Wild Oats X' take it on, as wel. And then what a treat seeing one of the one hundred footers would be too...
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| Will Matt Allen bring 'Ichi Ban' out of mothballs in Newcastle for the 2010 M2V? | Early glimpses of the 'Lutra 80' under construction now at McConaghy's in Mona Vale |
Anyway, for the rest of us our only question to ask is how to get that much time off work to go and enjoy all this fun. It isn't just limited to the race either. There's amazing scenery, beaches and diving once you get there. History abounds, especially as there was a lot of WWII activity around the area. Reputably the world's largest and most accessible wreck, the 'SS President Coolidge', is just 50m off shore, for instance.
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The 'SS President Coolidge' was badly damaged in Ocotber of 1942 and run up on the beach to evacuate the troops. She was then scuttled just 50m from the shore and is today a most accessible and lively underwater attraction. Just more reasons to get there in 2010. |
The ORCV's 20Ten Melbourne to Vanuatu Race is starting at 12noon on Sunday July 4, 2010. You can find the Notice Of Race here or if you're dead keen already, email
There will be more information posted here on orcv.org.au, as it becomes available.
By John Curnow
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