Ocean Racing Club of Victoria
Steb Fisher
  We are the ORCV !!

Line Honours to Hartbreaker

It's tough out there with the lack of wind although Hartbreaker have just crossed the line at 15.29.00.   The very light and almost non existent winds has caused a number of boats to retire, these being Blue Water Tracks, Bundaberg, Foggy Dew, Foxy Lady, Hot Chipps, Lady J, Lord Jiminy, Shimmer, Summer's Lease, True Colours, Vagabond, Vertigo, White Spirit and Wingara.  All onboard OK.

1.00 pm Race Director Update

With a shortened course, it seems that the leading group of boats including Wicked, Shimmer, Arcadia and Audere are getting closer to the turn although the winds are light.   The light winds have cause Marie Grace to retire with all onboard OK.  

8.00 am Start Update

After a short delay, all 27 boats have started at 7.45 am in very light winds, so light that some say they can even enjoy a latte and ham and cheese croissant and what a beautiful day as spinnakers start to fill.   WIth Faster Forward first out through the heads and RMS Cole Walker close behind the boats are still enjoying 6 - 7 knots of breeze from the SE as they head toward Cape Schanck.

Faster Forward leading out through the heads smaller

Faster Forward leads out of the heads.  Photo Matt Fahey

7.30am - Delayed Start of 15 mins.

27 boats and some 130 crew are ready at Queenscliff, for the start of the ORCV first race, the West Offshore Products Coastal Sprint.  On all accounts, there's a light breeze from the East and a stunning day on it's way.  To allow for the deep draft outbound ship (YM Success), the fleet has been given a 15min delay on starting.  

We welcome the new comers of RMS - Cole Walker, Marie Grace, Hot Chipps, Foxy Lady, Foggy Dew, Pegasus, True Colours and Josh the new owner of Audere, who are either on their first ocean race or first ocean race in a long time.  

Today the crews will sail a short 55nm coastal course which could be shortened if winds drop off as predicted. 

With this new found freedom, many crews are competing short handed, either double handed or 4+auto helm as any boat is a contender today to take home the major prize.

Spinnakers a start Elke Kellis smallerPhoto:  A gentle start for the first race.  photo  Elke Kellis

 

27 boats and 124+ crew will tomorrow enjoy some lighter winds as we see a return to sailing with the West Offshore Products Coastal Sprint. There is now a shorten course and shorten finish added with PredictWind indicating winds dropping off as the crews turn to return to the finish. It's great to see so many join the record coastal sprint (category 3) fleet numbers and celebrate the return to ocean sailing. For those boats that have AIS, you can monitor their progress via marine traffic or via the ORCV website or social pages #orcv

 

Predictwind modelling uses a Beneteau First 40

Crew Opportunities 

Looking for crew or to be crew and sail regularly Offshore?

Mysail.team provides a general availability option for use by both crew and owners who can post a notice, looking for crew with ORCV races as well as delivery crew opportunities.

To be invited as crew, you normally need to demonstrate your sailing experience and qualifications.  These qualifications could include Safety and Sea Survival, First Aid, Radio and Navigation.

To list yourself as crew or your boat who are looking for crew, please go to Mysail.team to sign up, making sure you list yourself against the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV).

The ORCV cannot guarantee you a place on a yacht, although we hope this helps assist both crew and skippers.

 

Crew registered on MySail.team looking for ORCV yachts:

Scroll down on the below to see the full listing

 

Good news!  ORCV starting gun is out being polished and ready to start three races before New Year!

The first gun will be fired on November 21st at 7.30 am for the 55nm Category 3 West Offshore Coastal Sprint, starting near Queenscliff and finishing off Portsea Back Beach. It's a great daylight ocean race to test boat, gear and crew and will have yachts home by sunset. Currently, 21 yachts have entered with many will be ocean racing for the first time (or the first time in a long time!). We welcome new ORCV members Jade Cole and Barney Walker, sailing RMS-Cole Walker a new Jeanneau Sun Fast 3300 competing in the Double Handed division.  Early entries close Wednesday 11th, 9 am.

The second gun will be fired on 26th December for the very popular boxing day ORCV Melbourne to Blairgowrie 'Cock of the Bay' yacht race. The 34nm course starts near Station Pier in Port Melbourne and is designed to sail past major bayside locations for sailors and spectators alike to view. Some say there is no better way to work off the excesses of Christmas the day before

The third gun will be fired on the 27th December for the ORCV Melbourne to Devonport "Rudder Cup" yacht race. The race is still subject to agreements being finalized with state governments, health authorities and key stakeholders. If approval is not given for the Devonport race, a Melbourne to King Island return race or a Victorian Coastal Race will be held, either way, an ocean race will be run.

The safety, health and well-being of all participants, families and the broader communities is a major focus for the ORCV. Guidelines and regulations regarding COVID-19 as outlined here must be strictly adhered to. A number of changes will be made to the races and events this year as we support being COVID safe, with all team briefings will be undertaken online. The traditional social events and parties usually held prior to race and post-race will be modified this year, and there will be restrictions imposed across clubhouses and marinas.

Post New Year races have been updated in ORCV race calendar. Click here

Enter the West Offshore Coastal Sprint Race here

Enter the Melbourne to Devonport Race here

The Cock of the Bay - check back here early next week.

 

West Offshore Products Coastal Sprint 1 - November 21st Entries are open

With 12 entries already, it's great to have such a great start to the season on November 21st with the West Offshore Products Coastal Sprint.  What a way to get our sea legs going again, on this 55nm race which starts at 7.30am and will have you home that night. It's great also to see a number of new boats joining in. Double handed, 4+ autopilot or if we can crewed.  You can enter now and pay later.
 
If required, there are 2 alternative dates should it be required as outlined in the Notice of Race.  All dates have a daylight start.

It's great to be back, so come join us. Enter the race here 

We're Back with a New Calendar

There's a new updated ORCV Sailing Calendar is now available here. 

Entries are now open for the first West Offshore Products Coastal Sprint 1 on November 21. https://www.orcv.org.au/sailing/races/coastal-sprint-series   You can join the existing 8 entries today and pay later.  If we are required to delay due to Government regulation, we will reschedule the race and have reserved the following three weeks for that purpose. Details of the ORCV Coastal and Offshore Championships have also been published for the Coastal and Offshore Championships.

Notice of Race for all ORCV races will be available on November 10. ORCV is hoping to run a Melbourne to Devonport race at Christmas. If a race to Devonport is not possible, we have two alternative races.

Similar for the ORCV Cock of the Bay we have an alternative format if needed.

Mark your diaries and get ready to join us

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Admin

ORCV Info

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3 Aquatic Drive, Albert Park VIC 3206 Ph. 0493 102 744 E. orcv@orcv.org.au