Practice and Teamwork Propel Patriot's Win

A captivating weekend of sailing unfolded as the Discount Yachting Winter Series: Destination Race to Geelong took centre stage. A fleet of 44 boats converged at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club start line where entrants displayed their competitive natures.

The race commenced with a 17-knot westerly wind yet quickly challenged competitors with gusts of up to 25 knots and waves as high as 1.5 meters. As the fleet passed Port Arlington conditions began to ease and flatten, offering sailors a temporary respite from the earlier racing challenges. It was during this phase that the handicap leaders, Patriot and Wicked, engaged in a gripping display of competitive racing. With tacks and strategic moves, they challenged each other to the finish.

Ultimately congratulations go to Jason Close and his crew on Patriot who clinched the Overall AMS victory. Speaking to Jason after the race he reflected on “tough conditions” noting it was an “uncomfortable race with the initial short sharp sea state and wind over tide in the channel towards Geelong.” Elaborating further, he said, they “love the race to Geelong and RGYC and use it along with other ORCV races as a training race every year”.  Strategically Jason felt they may have been “over cautious in the channel, perhaps tacking more than required however, we made up ground which was tough on the crew yet paid off as we really refined our tacking and developed a seamless process in the end”.

Special mentions go to Peccadillo and Extasea who both ploughed through the waves taking out the multihull and monohull line honours. Our smaller fleet also shone brightly, all successfully making it to Geelong. A special congratulations and acknowledgement are reserved for Siesta, who completed their first ORCV race!

Following the race, skippers and crews gathered at the Royal Geelong Yacht Club. Welcoming them was RGYC Vice Commodore Paul Buchholz and ORCV Commodore Cyrus Allen. The evening was full with jubilant spirits, hearty camaraderie, and the joy of sharing tales from the race. Prizes, generously provided and presented by Discount Yachting’s Will Baum were awarded to the triumphant skippers present. As day turned into night, festivities continued and showcased the true spirit of our ORCV sailing community.

The success of the Discount Yachting Winter Series Destination Race to Geelong owed much to the unwavering support of the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, whose staff and volunteers dedicated themselves to hosting the event. Gratitude is also extended to the Royal Brighton Yacht Club for their assistance at the start line and to Dave Hewison Photography for capturing the breathtaking moments at the start of the race. Last but certainly not least, a heartfelt thank you is extended to our dedicated ORCV volunteers whose tireless efforts make this unforgettable event possible.

 

Provisional results:

AMS Overall:

• 1^st: Patriot
• 2^nd: Wicked
• 3^rd: Another Chapter

ORC Overall:

• 1^st: Wicked
• 2^nd: Patriot
• 3^rd: Cadibarra

PHS Overall:

• 1^st: Goggo
• 2^nd: Wicked
• 3^rd: Cadibarra

Double Handed:

• 1^st: Joker
• 2^nd Maverick
• 3^rd Xenia

Cruising:

• 1^st: Stampede
• 2^nd Azura

Line Honours:

• Monohull: Extasea
• Multihull: Peccadillo

For full results please see: https://www.orcv.org.au/results/2022-23/2023MWSr/series.htm?ty=19660

Photo: Patriot by Dave Hewison Photography

If you wish to purchase any of Dave’s photographs from our races, you can do so here.

2023 Winter Series: Blairgowrie Re-sail Updates

 

Saturday, 2nd of September is the next ORCV Winter Series Destination Race to Blairgowrie. The Novice Return Series race back to Melbourne is on Sunday, 3rd September.  

Novice Return Series Races provide a unique crew and team development opportunity. Skippers are encouraged to rotate current crew members into new positions and, if possible, introduce new crew members to longer-distance racing.

Please note that the distance will be adjusted to ensure all sailors can return in time for a special Father's Day dinner. 

 

For all Berthing requests

Please complete and submit this form by 5pm Mon 28th August.

Berths are limited and will be allocated on first booked basis.

 

Dinner Bookings Essential 

The Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron team are working very hard to accommodate us and advance planning for meals is essential. You can book a two-course entrée/dinner for $55.00, a Breakfast Egg Bacon Roll with Coffee for $15.00 or Dinner and Breakfast for $70.00.

Please note only pre-ordered Breakfast Rolls and Coffee will be available on Sunday morning as BYS café is not open.

All meals need to be booked by no later than 5 pm on Monday 28th August

Book Dinner/Breakfast Here 

Note this link will close Monday 28th August at 5 pm. Last-minute meal requests are not an option.  

 

Entry 

Make sure you review the Notice of Race, Sailing instructions and Notice to Competitors

Enter the race, and make sure you have completed the payment section as well. 

Note: If you are doing both races on Saturday and Sunday, please ensure you enter each individually and update the crew accordingly too.

 

Crew Changes

If there are any last-minute updates to the crew on board, please update SMS or phone the race director on 0418396605.

Note the online Top Yacht crew changes will not be available for crew changes within 48 hours of the race start.

 

Berthing 

Will there be berthing at BYS?

Yes, BYS has a defined number of berths allocated and will do all they can to accommodate boats. Some rafting may be required although. You must enter the race and be fully paid to be considered for a berth. Berths will be allocated on a first-booked basis.

For all Berthing requests

Please complete and submit this form. ORCV office will arrange with BYS to organise a berth and advise by email. Berthing requests need to be submitted before 5pm on 28th August.

What’s the depth at BYS marina?

There are berths up to 3.0m berths. Please double-check your depth on Topyacht as this is the measurement we will use with BYS when working on allocations.

Do I need to book with BYS Direct?

No, by entering the race, we will communicate with BYS directly who will allocate all berths based on what your Topyacht boat profile indicates as your depth, beam, and length to the best berth option they have for you.

Can you let me know the berth before I enter?

No, you must enter and pay your entry for consideration on berthing. BYS will only deal with the ORCV direct for allocation and this allocation will be communicated a day ahead of the race.

Berth allocation for all boats will be uploaded onto this page on Thursday 31st August 

 

Additional Information 

Novice Race Briefing

For those participating in Sunday's Novice Return Race, there will be a briefing by the Race Director on Sunday morning on the deck of the BYS at 7.30 am.

Photo Competition 

You know how much we love to capture the people, the journey and places we go. If possible, please join our WhatsApp and share your photos of the Blairgowrie Race with the ORCV media team. The best photo received before 5:00pm Sunday will win a special edition ORCV Australian Made Marino Wool Neck Warmer.

• Please add your name and brief description of photo.  
• Please no sunglasses or alcohol in photos.
• Please note all photos submitted may be used by ORCV media in upcoming promotions. 
• To limit notifications, please do not comment or respond to other entries.
• If you do not have access to WhatsApp, photos can be sent to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

 Access Cards

• Marina Access Cards will be available for collection from the BYS Marina Gate box.

BYS Bar/Deck

• Open Saturday until 10 pm for bar and snacks.
• BYS bar/café is not open Sunday morning. 

 

 

 Winter Series Racing at its best. Photo: Dave Hewison

Re-Sail Winter Series Race 2 - Destination Blairgowrie

Thank you to Royal Brighton Yacht Club for starting, and to Blairgowrie Yacht Club for hosting after finishing the 2023 Discount Yachting Winter Series race 2. Please enjoy the BYS Club Bar when you arrive and stay around for the presentations which we expect will be held at 5.30 pm. 

Latest weather

 

New Start Location

Latest NTC 10 issued for last Race to Blairgowrie 

2023 Winter Series NTC 10 Issued 30_08_2023

Please ensure you add extra time to get to the revised Start Line near SYC 5 noted in NTC above !

Berthing Allocations

Berthing allocations have been made. Refer  BYS Berthing WS Race 4 for the berth details  and a Marina Map being found here. 

DO NOT take any other pen than what is allocated to you, as this can create issues!

Crew Changes

If there are any last-minute updates to the crew on board, please update topyacht by using this link and add your sail number to the end of that link

Discount Yachting Specials at Blairgowrie for the ORCV

Novice race briefing

For those participating in Sunday's Novice Return Race, there will be a briefing by the Race Director on Sunday morning on the deck of the BYS at 7.30 am.

Photo Competition

Yes, we are at it again to capture the weekend in as many ways as we can. You can help us by sharing your photos/videos with us via or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. The best photo submitted by 5.00 pm on Sunday wins the new ORCV branded neck warmers. We will have Dave Hewison our media photographer on the water for the start so follow us on Facebook or Instagram as we share the weekend with you.

Guest Access Card Collection

The marina access passes (6 per boat), will be left in the marina drop boxes.
You can find the drop boxes inside the marina gates, at the top of the arm, on your right just before heading up the ramp to exit

All passes must be returned to the silver letter box below the black drop box prior to departure (prior to 10.00am on Sunday 3rd September)
Passes not returned, incur a $50 charge per card.

Wicked Persistence and Strategy for the Win 

It was an absolutely glorious winter day for the Discount Yachting Winter Series Race 3 from Brighton to Sandringham. The race commenced with 34 boats, clear blue skies and winds of 8–10 knots. There was a spectacular display of spinnakers as the fleet came down the course. Just as Carrera S rounded the last marker, the wind diminished, challenging the pace and extending the finish line on the water. While many retired early, many tenaciously pressed on, determined to reach the finish line. Ultimately, it was Gerry Cantwell and his skilled crew sailing Carrera S, a Marten 49, who secured line honours. 

Congratulations goes to Mark Welsh and the crew of Wicked SM4, a Beneteau First 40, for their victorious performance in the Division 1 AMS, ORCc, and PHS. Mark shared his insights into their winning strategy, stating, "we decided to keep her moving through the light patch," highlighting the crew’s willingness to take risks and keen observation for the “inshore breeze, right near the dolphins and seal”. 

WICKED crew persistence paid off today.  Photo Wicked Crew

ORCV extends our congratulations to all the skippers and crews for their remarkable participation and perseverance in today's race. A special acknowledgment is reserved for Mark and his crew of Wicked, whose impeccable performance today resulted in a clean sweep of victories. 

We are also grateful to the dedicated race management volunteers from RBYC, SYC, and ORCV, whose hard work and commitment made today's race possible. 

Next up is the Discount Yachting Winter Series Destination race to Geelong on the 19th of August.  

Casual entries are now open and will close at midnight on the 16th of August 2023.  

Top 3 Provisional Race Results for Race 3 by Class and Divisions: 

AMS Division 1 

• 1^st Wicked 
• 2^nd Suprise 
• 3^rd No Mans Land 

AMS Division 2 

• 1^st Onyx 
• 2^nd Pegasus 
• 3^rd Boomer 

AMS Division 3 

1^st Le Cascadeur 

ORCc Division 1 

• 1^st Wicked  
• 2^nd Suprise 
• 3^rd Carrera S 

ORCc Division 2 

• 1^st Onyx 
• 2^nd Pegasus 
• 3^rd Alien 

ORCc Division 3 

• 1^st Le Cascadeur 

PHS Division 1 

• 1^st Wicked 
• 2^nd Arcadia 
• 3^rd Suprise 

PHS Division 2 

• 1^st Pegasus 
• 2^nd Boomer  
• 3^rd Onyx 

PHS Divisions 3 

• 1^st Le Cascadeur 

Cruising Non Spin

• 1st True Colours 

Double Handed Division 1 

• 1^stXenia 

Double Handed Division 2 

• 1^st Streetcar Racing 
• 2^nd Maverick 

For full results click here