DYSC Marine Supplies Winter Series 

Blairgowrie Destination and Novice Return Final Reminders: 

We have a large fleet of 54 boats participating in the Blairgowrie race. BYS have gone to quite some effort to welcome and accommodate the fleet after the race.

Despite light conditions, we believe we can proceed with the race tomorrow and have organized race management to handle all possible scenarios.

The start boat will follow the fleet down to Blairgowrie. Additionally, we have added a gate to shorten the course if needed. If there is no wind at 9:30, our intention is to move the start line closer to Blairgowrie.

Sailing in light conditions is a fundamental part of ocean racing, providing excellent practice for the fleet. We encourage you also to join the Novice race on Sunday which will provide crew with the chance to experience a different role.

What makes this race special is the opportunity it provides to enjoy our destinations, to get together and the camaraderie that comes from that to make a great weekend event with 2 races and look forward to seeing you in Blairgowrie.

This communication covers:

• Photo Competition
• Berthing 
• Arriving and Departing
• Meals & Presentation
• Novice Return Race 

Please read carefully!

Photo Competition

You know how much we love to capture the people, the journey and places we go! If possible, please take some photos and submit them via our WhatsApp group or  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. prior to 5:00pm on Sunday, 7th July 2024. Best photo from the weekend will win an ORCV Beanie and Australian Merino Wool Neck Warmer.  

Berthing

You must only berth in the space allocated to you.

Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron (BYS) has done a wonderful job accommodating us all. Please check the marina map below and only berth in your nominated berth or rafting position.

• It is a condition of entry that boats must berth in accordance with the directions of the BYS Marina Master.
• Blairgowrie has allocated berths based on availability.
• As guests of BYS please only berth in your nominated berth as listed below.
• Please ensure that you have fenders and your own mooring lines.

Click here for a map of the Marina: BYS Berth Map

For any questions, please contact the ORCV office directly on 0493 102 744 prior to midday Friday 5th July 2024.

Arriving and Departing

If you arrive at a reasonable time, BYS volunteers will guide or direct you to your designated berth. After securing your boat, please pick up your gate passes from the boxes at the end of your marina finger. There will be an envelope with the boat name in the box. Please return the passes to the same location before departure. Lanyards will be available for pick up at the bar. 
Non-return of passes will be charged to the boat at $50 per missing pass.

Facility Opening times:

• The Marina - 24/7
• Showers and toilets located in the Junior Lounge (ground floor of the main clubhouse) 7:00am – 11:00pm only
• Showers and toilets located on the first floor in the building behind Scotts’ Shed 24/7

Check-Out time is strictly 10:00am. It is imperative that ALL BOATS check-out on time please. If you need a longer stay, please contact BYS marina to organise and pay for any additional time.

Please also ensure that you return your visitor passes into the boxes where you picked them up.

BYS Contact Details

• Marina Office – 03 5929 9609 or 03 5925 9611
• BYS Reception – 03 5925 9600

Meals & Presentation

Saturday Night 

Our function will be in the Racing Lounge and The Deck. This will be available for us from 6:00pm. Upon arrival, bar snacks and drinks will be available from the bar.

Meals will be served at 6:30pm. If you have not pre-ordered dinner there will be a small number of walk-in meals available (~50).

The presentation time will be set and confirmed by Race Directors by SMS but is anticipated to be just prior to dinner.

Sunday Morning

Pre-ordered coffee and egg & bacon rolls will be available for pickup from 7:00am. If you have not pre-ordered breakfast there will be a small number of walk-in meals available.

Novice Return Race

For those doing the Novice Return Race (NRR) on Sunday 7th July, there will be a pre-race briefing on the deck at BYS at 7:30 am.

You must submit your Crew Role and Experience Declaration by 8:00pm Saturday 6th July 2024 at the latest to the Race Director in person, by SMS or email to be eligible for scoring in the NRR race.

DYSC Marine Supplies Winter Series - Race 1 Updates

Check back here during the race for the latest news and updates.

Race Results

13:30 update - Saturday 22 June

Very light winds have forced a shortening of the course at Mark 6. Congratulations to Scarlet Runner who takes out line honours! A battle ensues for the AMS Division win between Toecutter, Arcadia, and Surprise.

Check back later for full results.

Photo: Scarlet Runner

11:00 update - Saturday 22 June

Following the on-water distress drill at 9.30am, crews approached the start line under very light conditions with shifting breezes from the north west. Boats jostled for position with the aim of getting a jump on the competition, and to gain some advantage without the availability of significant winds to fill the sails. Skippers employed various tactics and strategy early on, with Rob Date’s Carkeek ‘Scarlet Runner’ jumping to a significant early lead.

Photo: Scarlet Runner

Sunshine, Sails, and Skill Building: Novice Return Series from Geelong

On Sunday, a fleet of 16 boats assembled in front of the Royal Geelong Yacht Club, ready to sail in the Novice Return Series. This special race isn't solely about the finish line—it's a celebration of inclusivity and growth in sailing. The Novice Return Series encourages skippers to shuffle crew roles and introduce newcomers to longer distance racing, creating an environment where learning and camaraderie take centre stage.

The weather played its part perfectly on the day with sunshine beaming down and a gentle 6-8 knot tailwind, ideal for novice sailors. As such the fleet sailed closely in company for most of the day with spinnakers proudly unfurled and plenty of banter and close photo opportunities between boats.

While some boats surged ahead, the wind had its own plans and dwindled off significantly outside of the Sandringham Yacht Club enabling lighter boats to gain back ground on the leaders.

Ultimately it was David Richardson on Archie who won the PHS category for day and Julie McKay from Another Chapter who took the Line Honours.

ORCV would like to extend congratulations to all the novices who entered this race and tried something new! We hope you were able to take away some new knowledge, confidence and empowerment to keep learning and developing your sailing skills.

A special appreciation is also directed towards boat owners who entrusted their beloved boats to novices for the day and the seasoned sailors who offered mentoring. Their openness not only encourages inclusivity but also fosters an environment of shared knowledge and growth which only adds value to our sailing community. We thank you!

For full results: https://www.orcv.org.au/results/2022-23/2023Novice/series.htm?ty=21565

Provisional PHS Results are:

• 1^st ARCHIE
• 2^nd SERIOUS YAHOO                
• 3^rd WHISTLER                  

Line Honours:

• Another Chapter skippered by Julie McKay

Vagabond being chased by those Skullduggery pirates…all hands on deck!

Photo Credit: Rebecca Irwin

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.