NOTICE OF
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MELBOURNE TO LAUNCESTON
Ocean Race: 198 nm Race Start: 1230hrs 27th December 2012 at Portsea Category: 2
Preliminary Advice. Australia's oldest ocean race (and the world's fifth oldest), the famous Melbourne to Launceston event starts on December 27, 2012. The winner receives (albeit quite briefly) the splendiferous 60 Guinea, Rudder Cup, as pictured below.
First run in 1907 and then a few years of each decade until the 60's, when it became an annual feature, the M2L is just perfect for the busy crew who have to back in Melbourne on or around New Year's Eve. Crews looking to go and stick their nose in it (Bass Strait, that is) for the first time also use the M2L as a thorough grounding in how to cross The Paddock. This race is resplendant with its own three-race series, as well. Additionally, it places you directly into some of the most stunning scenery in Tasmania and if you're a foodie/wine buff, well the Tamar and areas nearby are just a delight. So grab the gang, the golf clubs and switch off the mobile for a little RnR, Tassie style.
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Tamar Yacht Club (TYC) does it again!
Ken Gourlay cooks a mean steak on the barbie, David Orpwood , John and Coral pour a good beer, Jane and Jim Rogers run a fantastic race between them and the other amazing volunteers (Donelda-Commodore, Peter Newman, Silvia, Jane, Jim, Wendy, David, Sandra, Coral, Adrian, Gaye, Ron, John the list goes on) and if we missed anyone, you know who you are - we were well and truly looked after. You need to experience the wonderful food and hospitality they put on, but what really surpasses all that is their generosity, friendliness and willingness to bend over backwards to help us all out.
Ron Chandler and David Orpwood- the mariner managers worked tirelessly from the time the first boat- Gusto got in at 8 am, till the last one – Deliverance- well after midnight.
David Orpwood (Orpie or orkward as he is known) kept the beer cold and greeted the crew with their well earned slabs. He, John and Coral also kept us well watered and happy!
Jane Rogers, (if she wasn’t in the kitchen), Race Officer for the TYC Classic race and her partner Jim, pondered over the course not just once but several times, and created a course that was perfect, not too long, not too short, and with variations in up/downwind to make it interesting.
Rob Cassidy, the man in the van behind the radio taking finishing times for our race. Being in the van from 3 am in the morning till after midnight- almost 24 hours non stop is amazing. He tells me his wife and daughter made sure he was fed and plied with lots of coffee. Thanks Rob.
And then there’s Robbie. Robbie Eadie - photographer extraordinaire. The amazing shots he took of the crew and boats not just at the marina but going out to photograph them, whether it was as they finished the M2L race and just heading down the Tamar, but also going out and taking such great shots during the TYC classic race.
Then there’s the behind the scenes - pre race work. Janet (and Coral) at TYC Launceston, Donelda- Commodore TYC and Ed Vincent (Vice Commodore) help us at ORCV coordinate all the logistics for the race. These plans take place months before the race.
So whether it’s a Commodore, a member, or a volunteer, we thank you all, for without you these races would not happen.
Three Cheers For Tamar Yacht Club-“ Hip Hip Hooray!, Hip Hip Hooray!, Hip Hip Hooray!”
Peter Newman (left & out of focus), Rob Cassidy and Ron Chandler
Robbie Eadie (photographer) centre, with race directors Marissa & Pete Chalkley
The whole of TYC it seemed was there cooking
Commodore Donelda awarding prizes
Looking over the marina
M2L Presentation night...more...
More photos that is - and without you, the competitors, well we wouldn't be here.
The photogenic crew from Bacardi
The race director and crew from No Fearr
Bacardi with an orange hue - and little UFOs in the background
Upbeat - looking rather upbeat - Peter Dunne & crew 2nd AMS Bass Strait Series
MAGIC - 2nd PHS M2L, 1st PHS Bass Strait Series & winner of the sandbag award
An excited James Robinson, 1st Ocean race, from No Fearr
Ingenue with their Kite
No Fearr
George & Robyn from The Secretary
Mike from Deliverance accepting their award - we'll get a translator for him next year !!
Leanne from Ingenue - why are you covering the mic dear ?
That's better - accept it, you kept us all entertained.
Photos by Robbie Eadie
There is more footage available at The Examiner
Bass Strait Series- it's a wrap.
A night of celebrations, a few sore heads this morning and no wonder, when No Fearr won the Bass Strait Series for 2012. They also won the IRC division. Well done guys.
Peter Dunne on Upbeat and his crew were 2nd in the Series, only one point behind No Fearr, great result for the Beneteau 36.7, and they almost stole the lead during the Tamar Classic - 3rd was George Shaw and Robyn Brooke - The Secretary.
In the performance handicap division, our Ocean Racer of the year for 2011 - Phil Spry-Bailey on Magic was first in PHS. He tells us this will be his last ocean race, but that’s what he said last year, see you next year eh Phil. The Secretary was 2nd with No Fearr 3rd
M2L - But wait, there's more.
Novelties abound
The Best Blooper Award, The Sandbag award, the Wooden Spoon, and the best ETA to the finish.
The Best ETA award: The challenge was on, at the briefing prior to the event, crew were to give their estimated time of finish when 3 hours from finishing. The correct or closest time was 2 hours and 59 seconds, The Secretary. You try predicting where you’ll be to the second, on a 10ish tonne boat in a washing machine with variable winds and waves. Well done to Robyn Brook and George Shaw - excellent navigation and sailing. And yes, 2 handed I should add.
The Sandbag Award: Magic almost didn’t make it to the start line for the M2L race. I was told by one of the crew who was helming at the time, that he could tell the difference between red and green. Yes, they ran aground near Portsea, but managed to get off with some assistance – no damage done, at least to the boat that is!
They got off in time to make it to the start and win the performance division in the Bass Strait Series.
The Wooden Spoon Award: Not to out do themselves this year , the perseverance, and tolerance of the crew on Deliverance, they came first at the back of the fleet. It was quickly noted by the crew that at least they were faster than last year. Still, well done guys for finishing and keeping up the good spirits, I bet next year you will beat your record again.
The Best Blooper Award: It was a sight sitting at the yacht club and watching Ingenue in the Tamar Classic, flying their spinnaker from the top of the mast like a retirement pennant – they decided to leave it up there, and continued to sail the entire upwind leg to the finish before trying to get it down. Perseverance if I’ve ever seen it.
They were duly presented with a kite at presentation night, which they managed to fly around the lawn of the Tamar Yacht Club.
Overall Results:
Melbourne to Launceston
Line Honours
Gusto
PHS
1st - The Secretary
2nd - Magic
3rd - Bacardi
AMS
1st - The Secretary
2nd - No Fearr
3rd - Ninety Seven
IRC
1st - No Fearr
2nd - Celeste
3rd - Ninety Seven
Bass Strait Series
PHS
1st - Magic
2nd - The Secretary
3rd - No Fearr
AMS
1st - No Fearr
2nd - Upbeat
3rd - The Secretary
IRC
1st - No Fearr
2nd - Ninety Seven
3rd - Celeste
The Rudder Cup
Photos by Robbie Eadie
Melbourne to Launceston Bass Strait Series - update
Today the M2L boats competed in the Tamar Yacht Club Classic.
Twas an eventful & action packed race on the beautiful smooth waters of the Tamar river today. Plenty of breeze and wind shifts abounded to challenge the crews. Some boats experienced some kite handling challenges, while other boats seemed to have a breeze of their own.
There was a great tussel between the first 3 boats, No Fearr, The Secretary and Upbeat, all vying for the overall honours of the coveted Bass Strait Series, which is the three races, being the Boxing Day Dash, Mel-Launceston, and the Tamar Yacht Club classic.
All results for the M2L series have been posted online here. The series winner will be announced tonight at the presentation dinner being held at the Tamar Yacht Club.
