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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Record Breaker?
With plenty of breeze forecast for the Melbourne to Launceston fleet this afternoon, the 66ft Gusto could threaten the race record, which was set by Cadibarra in 2003, at 19hrs 55minutes. A blustery south westerly change is forecast to hit the fleet early afternoon, and if there is enough west in the breeze, then the fleet will have a fast trip to the finish at the Tamar river. As the fleet crosses Bass Strait, the breeze should clock more west, allowing the yachts to ease sails and accelerate. To check on the fleets progress in the race, which starts 12:30pm today, check the online race trackers.
Forecast weather for 5pm today.
Helly Hansen Christmas Sale
Helly Hansen, our major sponsor for the 2012 Bass Strait Series, incorporating the2012 Helly Hansen Melbourne to Launceston Rudder Cup Race, invite you to their Christmas sale in all stores commencing Friday 21st December 2012.
Show your support for our Sponsor and go along to fill the Christmas stockings!
NOTICE OF
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MELBOURNE TO LAUNCESTON
Ocean Race: 198 nm Race Start: 1255hrs 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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A Family Affair!
No Fearr is a Cookson 12 racing out of RBYC and is a regular part of the Christmas Race campaigns to Tasmania.This will be the first Launceston race for No Fearr with a father-son combination as James Robinson joins the crew.
James began his sailing at RBYC in the popular Sabot training programme and progressed to other OTB dinghy racing. He has plenty of ocean miles under his belt, having completed several delivery trips from Hobart and Launceston, and spent significant time fishing off the Eastcoast of Tasmania with Dad, Kevin.
In preparation for the event, James has completed his SSSC certificate and been training aboard No Fearr with the crew.
We wish them well !
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| James and Kevin aboard No Fearr at RBYC |
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ORCV Helly Hansen Melbourne to Launceston (M2L from 27/12/11)
Grinning Winning.
Well Arch Rival are grinning and that's simply terrific. Here are some assorted pics of their arrival at Beauty Point. A very delighted John Hall said as he finished packing up, "I'm too busy to have a beer, let a lone give you a quote!" He did come back to us later to say, "I'm really proud of the crew and my two sons who form part of it. Great to have them aboard. We're a timber boat with and alloy rig, so it shows that it is still possible. I sold my Dufour 44, Whisper 4 to John Rouse, who was the previous owner of this current boat and both of us are delighted with the change."
Now a huges armada of vessels has ploughed in to Low Head, at the mouth of sensational Tamar River. 11 of the 14 boat fleet have all finished behind race winner, Arch Rival. Vivacite was second and then Merlion. The order after that is:
Dark and Stormy at 15:15:20
Inception at 15:45:45
Pretty Woman at 16:03:20
Upbeat at 16:04:57
Alegria 2 at 16:14:48
Deja Vu at 16:19:38
Tresor at 16:34:13
then, Magic at 16:49:45
The hope from here is that with the back markers, Morning Star, Deliverance and Ruffian can all get in before it goes dark. With less than 20nm, one would hope so, but the breeze is the breeze and it may yet go soft.
John Hall holds the boat placard with pride.
John with sons Andrew and Tim.
Yep. John's happy.
Stu Addison talks with Emily and Madeline from ABC and SC TV, respectively.
Deja Vu won the handicap trifecta - IRC, AMS and PHS (provisional). Happy team????!!! Well done.
Tresor after the Portsea start.
Ocean Racer of the Year, Phillip Spry-Bailey AO, behind the helm of his Magic.
Chicks ahoy! Rosie Colahan behind the helm and she's completed the race with Robyn Brooke on Pretty Woman
The very seasoned and helpful Bob Tanner with his Alegria II
Preparing Deliverance on the morning of the race...
Many thanks to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for the use of her © images.
Latest entrant in the 2011 Helly Hansen M2L are the Halls and co on Arch Rival. Ruffian and Vivacite from Geelong just snuck in ahead of them... If you'd like to read a bit more about the M2L race and the area, then check out an article by Tony Bull, which you can access HERE.
ORCV Land also extends on to the ORCV Facebook page, so make sure you go and "Like" the page, now. 316 Souls already have and thank you to each and every one of you.
© John Curnow, ORCV Media
Please contact me for re-issue rights.
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To the right is the Rudder Cup, which is awarded to winner in the racing division - 104 years old in 2011. |
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The TYC are our hosts at the top of Tasmania.
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Below is the harbour at the very aptly named, Beauty Point.
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Our base at the bottom of the Bay,
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