Double-handers targeting 50th Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race glory  

Amid the double-handed entries already received for the 2022 Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race, there are some serious contenders for the Heemskerk Trophy, awarded to the overall winner of the race each year.

Being the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria’s (ORCV) 50^th anniversary race, everyone wants to win it and Ryujin’s owner, Alex Toomey and his co-skipper, Andrew Hibbert, are no different.

Alex Toomey (RHS) and Andrew Hibbert of Ryujin Photo Alex Toomey

Like their double-handed opponents, they know it’s possible because it’s already been achieved. The first double-handed entry to the race was Simon Kellett’s Bobby Dazzler, with Chris Pullin.

In 1994, Kellett returned, one of three double-handed entries and took line honours and the Double-Handed Championship on Fast Forward with Ian Rushton.

Toomey is determined to give it a good crack. He owns the proven Sayer 12, Ryujin. He is racing with Andrew Hibbert, with who he won ORCV’s Apollo Bay Race in May.

“The 50^th is a flagstone event. It’s nice to be part of something that only happens once,” Toomey concurs.

When the boat was Ryu-Jin–FGI, Murray Bucknall and the yacht's designer-builder, Jon Sayer, finished the 2007 Melbourne to Osaka double-handed race fourth on line and won Open C division. This despite pulling up for repairs.

“I used to sail with Murray on the boat in Queensland. I bought it around three years ago. Andrew has the experience of doing the Melbourne Osaka (in 2013 with Tony Warren on Kiss Goodbye to MS).

Sailed double-handed Ruyjin won the Apollo Bay race - Chris Furey pic

“I’ve met Andrew since I moved back to Melbourne. We’ve been sailing together 12 months. We just click together on boat, we have a similar outlook to racing and we back each other up,” Toomey states.

“There is a competitive double-handed field. We weren’t built to handicap, the boat was designed for the Osaka, but if we get the right weather, we can give it a push. The Apollo Bay win was a good boost for us, to know the boat can win overall. We just have to work hard.”

Peter Dowdney and Grant Chipperfield on Joker on Tourer - pic courtesy Peter Dowdney

Peter Dowdney, Australasian Sales Manager for Ronstan, a supporting sponsor of the ORCV, is another example. He will co-skipper Joker on Tourer with her owner, Grant Chipperfield.

“We’ve done the Melbourne to Devonport and Sydney Hobart races two up. Grant and I have done enough miles to work our systems out and throw the boat around in any conditions, except the Gold Coast Race this week. We were found wanting in the light air!

“We enjoy each other’s company and sail well together,” says Dowdney, adding, “There’s plenty of Ronstan on the boat for whacky ideas during the race...”

The Victorian sailed his first ‘Westcoaster’ in 1983: “It was my first major race. We got line honours on the 38 foot Freelance against 60 plus footers. The cards went our way and it forged my passion for ocean racing. Forty years on, we’re doing it again. And 50 years for the race; it’s big one.

“The other reason we’re doing it is the magnificent and dramatic scenery. It feels like there is no more isolated place in the world.”

Also lining up as a Double-Handed entry is ORCV Commodore, Grant Dunoon, whose co-skipper is a past ORCV Commodore and Life member, Neville Rose. Stalwarts of the Club, their boat is Dunoon’s beautifully appointed Moody 54 Ds, Blue Water Tracks.

The Commodore is under no illusion as to their chances of winning, his yacht is 28 tons, but that is not the point.

“Blue Water Tracks is a cruising boat not a full-on racer. We won’t be able to compete on handicap, but it is the perfect boat for double-handed sailing, it’s set up nicely.

“I quite enjoy the challenge of short-handed sailing. It’s a little bit less stressful than fully crewed. You have to train and get crew up to speed for the boat to perform well. Short-handed presents a series of different challenges, such as sail changes. I enjoy that side of it and the fact Neville is an experienced short-handed sailor.”

Blue Water Tracks ploughs through the water photo Steb Fisher

The Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race, organised by ORCV with the cooperation of the Derwent Sailing Squadron, starts off Portsea Pier at noon on 27 December.

For Entry, Notice of Race and List of Entries, please visit: www.melbournehobart.com

South Aussies add weight to 50th Melbourne to Hobart

Twelve years ago, John Willoughby scored a clean sweep of wins in the testing Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race with his striking red yacht ‘Enchantress’ - and the memory of that race - and its outcome, lingers, bringing the South Australian back for what is likely his last hurrah.

Willoughby can vividly recall the 435 nautical mile race (commonly known as the ‘Westcoaster’) and subsequently being awarded the Heemskerk Trophy. It is presented to the overall winner each year, by an Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV) representative. And why not, he won AMS, IRC and PHS categories.

Enchantress crew in 2010 Overall winner in all divisions

“I even remember where I was sitting when the photo was taken with the Heemskerk Trophy,” said Willoughby, from the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron (RSAYS).

Willoughby’s Muirhead 11 was designed and built by John Muirhead, who skippered Enchantress to her 2010 win, with Willoughby in a crew role. The yacht is on the market, meaning this may be his final fling with it.

Red hull of Enchantress (right of screen) at start of the 2010 Westcoaster 

Either way, Willoughby will be kept busy. The ophthalmologist was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2021 for his ongoing contributions to regional and overseas eye health. He also owns the Bay of Shoals winery on Kangaroo Island.

There is a synergy between Willoughby’s work and this race too; he qualified as an ophthalmologist in 1972, so they celebrate their 50th’s in tandem.

“We won the race in 2010. I’ve been doing the Sydney Hobart since. I’m coming back to the Melbourne to Hobart because it’s the 50th and to join other past winners.”

On winning the race, he says: “If you’re lucky, you can keep the wind behind you. Enchantress goes like a rocket downwind. She gets up and boogies.”

The bonus, Willoughby says is, “Whether I do this race or the Sydney Hobart, I come home via the west coast. There is so much beautiful scenery. You can appreciate it more when you’re cruising home.”

He isn’t the only South Aussie with his eye on the overall prize. Among the 54 entries received by the ORCV so far is a Sydney 38 named Audacious. She is the former Chutzpah V.

Her current owner, Stuart Johnson, is making his debut in the ORCV’s annual race, but Audacious has been before with her former owner. Johnson is a competitive offshore yachtsman with Sydney Hobarts and a number of Adelaide to Port Lincoln races on his resume, with best results in the latter of second and fourth in division in the 2022 and 2021 races respectively.

“I’m a Tasmanian who moved to South Australia. I’ve always wanted to do the Melbourne to Hobart since I was a young boy. The ORCV program is so close to us in South Australia, so it’s easy to head over,” Johnson says.

“It’s one of the most iconic races in this country. Going down the west coast has its challenges, but nothing beyond our capabilities, we value our seamanship.

“We’re looking forward to catching up with our peers in Melbourne,” he says.

Among Johnson’s peers is last year’s overall winner, Matt Fahey’s Faster Forward, which is also a Sydney 38.

Audacious in 2010 approaching the magnificent South West Cape ©Richard Bennett

“The scenery down the coast and the party at the finish are also good reasons to do the race. To see the coast and enjoy the scenery in a measured way coming home will be special,” adds Johnson, who will do local races in the lead-up, such as the 200nm Haystack Island Race.

Johnson would love to become the third South Australian to win the race, joining Willoughby and Jim Cowell (S&S 34, Morning Hustler) who won in 1983.

In other news, RSAYS is looking at running an Adelaide to Melbourne race to a virtual mark in Bass Strait as a qualifier for their offshore fleet for both the Melbourne to Hobart and Rolex Sydney Hobart races.

Grant Dunoon, the ORCV Commodore and Westcoaster competitor with Blue Water Tracks, muses: “This is the race that they said couldn’t be done and here we are, 50 years on…

“It’s a race that takes in the most amazing scenery (see the accompanying photo of Audacious) and a sea state that offers the long rolling rollercoasters that are not seen in any other Hobart race.”

The Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race, organised by ORCV with the cooperating of the Derwent Sailing Squadron, starts off Portsea Pier at noon on 27 December. On the line is the 14-year-old race record of 1d 17h 28m 59s set by Shortwave in 2008.

For Entry, Notice of Race and List of Entries, please visit: www.melbournehobart.com

Tasmanians prepare for assault on 50th Melbourne to Hobart

Tasmania can lay claim to a rich history in the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria’s (ORCV) Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race, or ‘Westcoaster’ as it’s also known, with the likes of Bob Clifford, John Saul, Michael Pritchard, David Alpin and the Escott family names engraved on the major trophies.

Founder/chairman of Incat, Clifford, known colloquially as ‘Beanhead’, is the best known. He was aboard Mary Blair in the maiden race in 1972, taking line honours and creating the record of 2 days, 16 hours, 19 minutes, 7 seconds. Clifford also has the distinction of taking line honours in the 50th anniversary Sydney Hobart in 1994 as the owner/skipper of ‘Tasmania’.

Mary Blair setting a cracking pace on the 1972 (inaugural) Melbourne to Hobart - courtesy ORCV

For the 50th Westcoaster, there are already multiple entries from the Apple Isle. Those eligible are hoping to keep up the Tassie tradition in this tough 435 nautical mile race, as the recipient of the Heemskerk trophy, awarded to the overall winner under AMS.

The race takes the fleet from Portsea Pier to Hobart via the west coast of Tasmania, with Bass Strait to traverse in between. As Justin Barr, owner of the Farr 1104, Rumbeat, states: “There’s land at the start and the finish – but nothing in between – so if it gets ugly, the only option is to head out to sea.”

Justin Barr's Rumbeat handles the harsh conditions in the 2020 Aus Yachting Champs - Beau Outteridge pic

Barr has owned Rumbeat for 15 years and while it has done the race before, “I haven’t,” he says. “Being the 50th made me keen. So did the number of boats already entered (53 at the time of writing). And I want to do it because I haven’t before.”

The Battery Point shipwright at the famous Muir’s Boat Yard says, “I’m working flat out on my boat at the moment to make sure it’s bullet proof, or it will all come back on me.”

Over half of Barr’s crew will be regulars. “They’ve sailed with me in Launceston to Hobart races, once in 50 knots and another time when we lost the rudder. We won PHS in the race last year. I think we’ll give this race (Westcoaster) a fair old nudge.”

The first Tasmanian entry received was Brent McKay’s Jazz Player. The Bakewell-White Z39 design has been through a few owners and is a familiar name in offshore circles. In 2009 it took Melbourne to Hobart line honours and won PHS and IRC when owned by Andrew Lawrence from Melbourne.

Jazz Player on her way to line honours in the Two Capes Race - Colleen Darcey pic

McKay, who works in the marine industry, bought the boat in 2021: “I was in the right place at the right time. I have two adult sons, Gus and Ollie, who are keen racers. We did the Launceston to Hobart and other races and thought the 50th Westcoaster would be good for us and the rest of the crew to do,” he said.

“I’ve not done the race before - one of the reasons we thought we’d give it a go - I’ve done Sydney Hobarts and other races though. We’re pretty lucky, we have the Maria Island, Isle of Caves and Two Capes races to prepare. They’re all quite long and testing.”

Andrew Jones has entered his Inglis 47, Advantedge: “I’ve done the race eight or nine times on Haphazard, a Launceston boat,” he says. “My son Joshua (21 years) and a couple of other father and son combinations will probably do the race with me.

“We were going to do the Sydney Hobart, but I was speaking to the ORCV and said to the boys, ‘If we’re going to do the Melbourne to Hobart, let’s do the 50th‘ and they said ‘yes’.”

Advantedge, Jones says, “Has been raced pretty hard until my son started sailing in the dinghy scene, so she sat in the shed at home for the last three years. I’ve given her a major upgrade with a new keel and rudder. I also moved the mast back. I’m in the midst of stiffening her for this race.

“We’ll be looking for cracked sheets and downwind conditions (in the Westcoaster). If we can get an A sail or Code Zero up, the boat will be happy with that.”

Starting on 27 December at 12pm, the Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race is organised by ORCV with the cooperating of the Derwent Sailing Squadron (DSS).

For Entry, Notice of Race and List of Entries, please visit: www.melbournehobart.com

Ginan 50th entry for 50th Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race    

Expectations and entries are running high as the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV) prepares to host its 50th Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race, with Cam McKenzie and Nigel Jones’ recently purchased J/111, Ginan, marking the occasion by being the 50th entry. 

McKenzie and Jones can boast a long and prosperous association with the 440 nautical mile race. It was the first ocean race for both and one they have won multiple times. It has culminated in their buying a yacht together in time for the 50th ‘Westcoaster’, as the race is familiarly known to yachties. 

Jones’ first was in 1985 on Peter Sajet and Charles Mehrmann’s Farr 11.6 Freelance. He raced with the pair again on their Farr 40, Paladin, in 1989 and placed second overall. At 26 in the 1990 race, Jones skippered Paladin to an overall win. McKenzie, 21 at the time, was aboard for his first offshore race, forging a friendship and sailing bond between the two. 

Paladin 1990 Melbourne to Hobart

Their next Westcoaster was the 25th in 1996, when Jones skippered Cadibarra 7, owned and designed by his famous yacht designer father, Don Jones. They placed third overall in the record 65-boat fleet. 

Nigel (centre holding the sign) and Cameron in the white cap behind, 25th Westcoaster in 1996

Jones and McKenzie next competed together in the gale-swept 1999 race, again on Cadibarra 7. 

“Based on the forecast, we made a tactical decision to go west of King Island to seek an improved sea state and wind conditions, compared to the forecast for the conventional rhumbline course to the east of King Island,” Jones remembers. 

This decision ultimately paid off. Cadibarra 7 was the sole finisher and therefore the winner of that race. 

Cadibarra 7 - 1999 Melbourne to Hobart

In between Melbourne to Hobarts, Jones and McKenzie kept busy sailing 10 Sydney Hobarts together. They now return to the Westcoaster with their own yacht Ginan. And continuing the legacy, McKenzie’s 18-year-old-son, Will, is to be aboard for his first Westcoaster. 

“He is very much looking forward to the challenge and fulfilling an ambition of competing in the Melbourne to Hobart with his dad and his godfather Nigel,” McKenzie explains.

As to Ginan, Jones says, “We sought a boat that could be successfully campaigned offshore, inshore and fleet raced. What attracted us to the J/111, is that while it’s a relatively light boat, it’s designed and built for offshore racing. 

“It’s a fun boat to sail, carrying large asymmetrical kites. It’s fast for its size, very well balanced and has the essentials and comfort below for overnight stays and short cruises. The design also has a successful track record in ocean races and regattas around the world,” Jones enthuses. 

McKenzie, who says they are looking forward to the 50th, adds, “We are coming up to speed with the boat. We’re enjoying racing on Port Phillip against the other local J/111’s: Joust, Veloce and Playlist.”

The two will face stiff competition from an eclectic range of boats come the Westcoaster, John Newbold’s Primitive Cool and Robert Date’s latest Scarlet Runner among them. 

Newbold’s Reichel/Pugh 51 has been successfully campaigned in Melbourne and Sydney over many years. Her claim to fame was winning the 2010 Rolex Sydney Hobart as Secret Mens Business 3.5.  

The name Scarlet Runner is known far and wide. The latest of Date’s boats by that name is a Carkeek 43 launched in January. Fresh out of the wrapping, she placed fourth in the Adelaide to Port Lincoln Yacht Race and third in the subsequent Lincoln Week Regatta. 

Distinguished by a menacing black hull, Date says the yacht was specifically designed as a Fast 40+ and her sisterships have delivered outstanding results on the super-competitive European circuit.

"We want to get ready to win the 50th Anniversary Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster. We think this is the boat to do it in,” Date says.

Rob Date's new Scarlet Runner Photo Salty Dingo Media

Other contenders include Wicked (Mike and Mark Welsh, which finished second overall in the 2009 Sydney Hobart and Arcadia, owned by 2021 Victorian Offshore Sailor of the Year, Peter Davison, which speaks for itself.

To start on 27 December at 12pm, the Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race is organised by ORCV with the cooperating of the Derwent Sailing Squadron (DSS). The race typically offers tactical challenges and exposure to the Southern Ocean. 

The course takes yachts from the start at Queenscliff,  through Port Phillip Heads, into Bass Strait, down the west coast of Tasmania, up the River Derwent and to the finish line at Battery Point in Hobart, providing some of the most gruelling racing in Australia. 

The Category 2 race is open to monohull fully crewed, double-handed and 4 + Autohelm yachts with the winner to be determined under the AMS rule.

Enter the Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster here : https://www.orcv.org.au/westcoatster-about-the-race

Cam & Nigel have a great passion for ocean racing and have had lots of amazing sailing experiences and opportunities provided to them through the generosity of owners of the boats they have raced on and feel that now is their time to give back and provide such opportunities to others to experience the thrill and joys of ocean racing.

Nigel, Cam and their crew are very much looking forward to taking part in the 50th running of this great race, the Melbourne To Hobart.

So Nigel & Cam, what's behind the name Ginan?

A regular question we are being asked is what does Ginan mean and why did you give the boat this name? The name Ginan comes from the Wardaman people, traditionally living in the region south-west of Katherine in the Northern Territory. Ginan is a Wardaman word for a red dilly-bag filled with songs of knowledge and Ginan is the fifth brightest star of the Southern Cross constellation formerly called Epsilon Crucis. The Southern Cross helped the First Australians to navigate this land and has been used by navigators for centuries to find the location of the south celestial pole.  All of Don Jones’ boats were named Cadibarra after Lake Cadibarrawirracanna in South Australia, the meaning of Cadibarrawirracanna is “the stars were dancing”, hence we feel there is a nice synergy between the names.

Top Photo Ginan at Sail Peninsula

Enter the Westcoaster Here  https://www.orcv.org.au/westcoatster-about-the-race