2016 Melbourne to Devonport Race Report

The Bass Strait Series consists of races: Cock of The Bay, The Rudder Cup Melbourne to Devonport and The Top of the Island. This year we had a larger fleet bolstered by some newcomers based on the dispensation to allow Sat Phones to qualify for Cat 2. This is a great innovation for boats wanting to get into ocean racing as it reduces costs.

Leg one of the Series, the Cock of the Bay saw Devonport boats feature in the Top 20 finishers including Christine, Soiree Bleu, Summer Wind and White Noise on PHS.

The main Rudder Cup race from Melbourne to Devonport, Leg two of the Series, started with some major traffic jams at the start and unfortunately a little damage. All yachts continued on and made running repairs. While all this was going on Christine was experiencing engine problems caused by contaminated fuel and had to withdraw, just prior to the start, very tough after a big preparation.

The winds were light and fickle outside the heads so progress was slow for a while. Then the sea state became more like a washing machine and winds varied a lot. This worked all the crews hard trying to maximise sail. Reefs in, reefs out, headsail changes at regular intervals. As if this wasn’t enough the rain was saturating and chilling everyone on deck. BKT Jamhu withdrew due to taking on a little water and returned safely home unassisted.  The fleet arrived in a pretty tight bunch with Peccadillo Line Honours multi hull and Soiree Bleu first monohull.

The fleet all closely followed the escort boat up the Mersey due to shifts in the channel due to floods.  Phoenix retired with rudder damage and limped in late.  They were repaired by a team of locals for the return.

A Rest day to dry out and then the Top of the Island race. This was a testing race with stiff breeze along the coastline course.  It was fast and furious with Summer Wind taking out the major result. 

A number of boats headed home early to take advantage of a good weather window and enjoy family New Year celebrations.  For those remaining the presentation and dinner were enjoyable.  The prizes for divisions and handicaps were spread around.  Local member Mike Gaffney helped out with the prize giving and we had great media coverage.

Well done to all the competitors. Thanks to our sponsors for trophy prizes, Vivere Coffee and Chirping Bird wines.  Our appreciation to our very hard working volunteers in our Race, Incident and Media Management Teams, all the volunteers at Mersey Yacht Club and Grant Dunoon for the yacht tracker.  See you and hopefully more yachts next year.

Results – The Rudder Cup Melbourne to Devonport

Line Honours – Multi Hulls

1. PECCADILLO, Charles Meredith

Line Honours – Mono Hulls

1. SOIREE BLUE, Douglas Lithgow
2. WHITE NOISE, Daniel Edwards
3. MAGIQUE, Maurice Contessi

AMS

1. SUMMER WIND, Paul & Angela Woodman (Rudder Cup winner)
2. WHITE NOISE, Daniel Edwards
3. ARCHIE, Simon Bell & Jeff Sloan

IRC

1. WHITE NOISE, Daniel Edwards
2. ARCHIE, Simon Bell & Jeff Sloan
3. MORE NOISE, Jason Close

PHS

1. MAGIQUE, Maurice Contessi
2. WHITE NOISE, Daniel Edwards
3. SUMMER WIND, Paul & Angela Woodman

For Full Results including Bass Strait Series results http://www.orcv.org.au/results/2016-17/2016M2D/series.htm

Scroll down below for video and photos.

2016 Wyndham Harbour Melbourne to Hobart & Devonport - ABC TV News 27-Dec-16

2016 Wyndham Harbour Melbourne to Hobart & Melbourne to Devonport races start from Committee boat

2016 Wyndham Harbour Melbourne to Hobart & Melbourne to Devonport races, pre-start and start

Paul & Angela Woodman, SUMMER WIND, and Mike Gafney, local MLC	ORCV Radio Communications Van on station on the finish line
Mersey Yacht Club Hospitality	SUMMER WIND and WHITE NOISE heading south in the Mersey river after the Top of the Island race
Time to dry out at Mersey Yacht Club	Trophies including sponsor prizes from Chirping Bird Wines and Vivere coffee
Vivere coffee hampers for the podium place getters	Daniel Edwards, WHITE NOISE, and Mike Gafney, local MLC