ORCV West Offshore Products Coastal Sprint 3: Port Phillip Heads showing its teeth
Photo by Shaun McKenna
The latest ORCV Coastal Sprint delivered a day of exhilarating offshore racing, with crews enjoying brisk autumn conditions and tactical challenges all the way down the line.
A fleet of 8 yachts and over 43 crew took on the popular short-format offshore race, designed to sharpen skills and build experience for longer-distance events.
First Boat Through the Heads
It was Ginan, skippered by Cameron McKenzie and Nigel Jones, who led the charge out through the heads, making a clean break into Bass Strait shortly after 9:00 am. The conditions in the rip proved challenging with 6 knots of ebb tide against 20 knots of wind from the SW. Boats saw nearly 6-meter waves.
The wind dropped through the day, with all boats finishing under spinnaker. The spread between 1st and the last finisher was just under an hour by 14:00. Adding to the excitement of the day were 3 rescue helicopters, 2 coast guard boats, and 2 pilot boats rounding up 17 wayward swimmers who had been affected by the strong conditions of the day. Our sailors and all the swimmers were safely back in Port Phillip by 15:00.
Congratulations to Our Line Honours and Division Winners
Ginan, Photo by Shaun McKenna
Line Honours: Ginan
AMS: Ginan
ORC AP: Ginan
Mono PHS: Shimmer
DH PHS: Unprecedented
Click here to view the full results.
Whether racing for the trophy or the training, each boat brought skill, spirit, and seamanship to the water.
More Than Just a Race
The Coastal Sprints series is an important part of ORCV’s offshore development pathway. With shorter distances and daylight finishes, these races are perfect for both newcomers and experienced crews looking to stay sharp.
Thank You to Our Volunteers and Race Team
None of this is possible without the tireless efforts of our race directors, media boat crew, volunteers, and supporters. Your work behind the scenes ensures a safe, successful, and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
If you'd like to be part of our teams moving forward, drop us a line at
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