2024 Melbourne Devonport Race Updates
Line Honours claimed by eXtasea
eXtasea skippered by Dustin Popp has taken Line Honours, completing the 2024 Melbourne to Devonport race at 15:03:34 on Saturday 2nd November 2024.
2pm update, 2 November
Extasea (G10007) is now just 9nm from taking line honours with land in sight! Multihull Peccadillo (S4) is flying home with Scarlet Runner, MRV, and Advantedge not far behind.
Winds have been building throughout the day, but with a significant drop predicted at 4pm, handicap honours may well be determined by who can get ahead over the next hour.
Follow the fleet here: https://race.bluewatertracks.com/2024-melbourne-to...
Image: Ahoy, there's land in sight Photo Angela on Peccadillo.
Whilst we await the fleet arrival - A link to history
The Frers 61 ‘MRV’, skippered by Damien King with crew member Grant Allen, has a legacy stretching back to 1991, when King and Allen won the Rudder Cup aboard Illusion where the average age was just 19!
Fast forward to 2024, and with decades of sailing experience between them, King and Allen are now joined by Henry Allen—a young but highly skilled sailor tackling his first Category 2 race—and Dan Conacher, embarking on his first ocean race.
They must be having an incredible time, competing for line honours and sharing in the mentorship and camaraderie onboard!
From the start of the 2024 Melbourne to Devonport Race MRV Photo: Al Dillon
Introducing the Race Management Team
Always ready, monitoring, and alert before and throughout the race, we introduce our on-the-ground Race Management team, who are eagerly awaiting the fleet’s arrival this afternoon and evening.
Our team includes David Schuller (Race Director), Catherine North (Assistant Race Director), and Rik Head (Incident Management Lead), who are supported by remote incident team members Jo, Vanessa, and Vanessa. While the boats are being prepared, this team is actively monitoring and supporting the fleet, ensuring everyone’s safety until they return home.
David shared, "In addition to the two scheduled skeds this race, we’ve introduced a listening watch, enabling two-way communication and providing an opportunity to relay messages to and from the fleet."
Three cheers for this dedicated team. 
Head over to the ORCV Instagram or Facebook page to see more updates and video content from competitors.
L-R Rik Head (back of photo), Catherine North, David Schuller (front)
2nd November 2024, 6am update - 93nm to go.
Around midnight, the majority of the fleet tacked to the south west towards the rhumline. The winds moved more northerly during the early hours and have continued to build to 11 knots from the north east.
It’s Extasea (G10007) leading the fleet for line honours, with MRV (SYD5), Scarlet Runner (SM13), and Advantedge (PD147) in hot pursuit. Multihull Peccadillo (S4) skippered by Charles Meredith sits impressively in fifth. Quixotic (R7779) and Ginan (M111) lead the big group of followers.
As the sun rises, the winds will continue to build with the first of the fleet still predicted to arrive late afternoon.
"Who will be the first break away from the fleet is any ones guess and there's a big shout out to Siesta (N21), Foggy Dew (SM6222), Joan Lorraine (R4689) who are towards the back but not out of contention as the pack is super tight, not often a sight we see." said Race Director, David Schuller
Follow the fleet here: https://race.bluewatertracks.com/2024-melbourne-to...
1st November 2024, 5pm Update – 3 Hours into the Race
The fleet is settling into Bass Strait, enjoying flat seas and 15 knots from the south in what has been termed "peachy conditions." Leading the fleet are MRV and eXtasea, with the fleet staying just east of the rhumb line.
In an interview at 4pm, Rod Smallman on Maverick predicted that those who pick the right time to tack may have the advantage, as they await a wind change later tonight. He went on to suggest that it could turn out to be a small boat race for handicap honors given the predicted conditions, though tactics will play a large part. The fleet is closely packed, with each tracker update giving everyone a chance at the handicap win.
Keep an eye on the tracker https://race.bluewatertracks.com/2024-melbourne-to-devonport-rudder-cup and enjoy whilst we wait for the wind to change the interview with Rod Smallman here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKb4a8r4e7M
4pm On Water Interview
We cross over to Rod Smallman on Maverick just after the 2024 Melbourne Devonport race start where the crews and fleet are settling into the rhythm of Bass Strait after a very busy start. Rod predicts it's going to be a small boat race for handicap honours but it's still up in the air as they wait to see what the high pressure system will do later on today. The winner could be decided by who get's the tack right as they wait it out and decide when to go. Grab a coffee and listen to what Rod thinks. Video interview Jane Austen with Rod Smallman
2pm Race Start
They’re away! A beautiful day for racing saw 36 starters take to the line for a 2pm getaway after a couple of late withdrawals due to technical issues.
Competitors started under a 10-15 knot breeze from the south west, sunny skies, and - as our man Simon would say - peachy conditions for sailing!
Some interesting strategy decisions are already being made as crews tack to the south east for the run across the Strait.
Follow all the action here: https://race.bluewatertracks.com/2024-melbourne-to-devonport-rudder-cup
Enjoy some shots from just prior to the start and head over to our social media pages for more videos and photos.
Aileron crew just prior to the start Photo Andy Lynch
