An Executive Decision for today’s Double Handed & Teams Race.

Double handed duo, Sheers and Johnson on Executive Decision win the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria’s 2024 Double Handed and Team Bay Race. Thirty four crews from around Victoria braved the cold Melbourne weather for today’s double handed race.

Executive Decision Crew Photo Fletcher Johnson

Exhausted and knowing they’d raced, Sheers explained “this had to be one of the more physically challenging double handed races I’ve done. We’ve both got very sore arms and there was lots of position changes between ourselves and rival Surprise, another Adams 10 boat. We saw 23 knots which was good for us having our number 3 sail up.”

Sheers summed up the day as “Totally enjoyable, challenging but a lot of fun. I know I’m going to sleep well tonight.”

The race started at 10am under a grey sky that looked to be clearing providing a nice 15 knots from the West. Within the hour and as they approached the first mark, the clouds rolled in with winds shifting more southerly and building to 23 knots.

“The larger boats of MRV and Belle seemed to be pulling away as we reached the Carrum mark 2” explained Jock Macadie, skipper of the Jones/Hart 14, Alex Team Macadie “We did well today based on our more conservative sail choice and needing to do less tacks as we approached mark 2”

Jock went onto to say “I know I’ve raced today with my body telling me that. It was challenging and offered a bit of everything, great breeze that kept building.”

Concentrating and catching the leaders Jock Macadie on the wheel Photo Ryan Evans

Adding to the fun, crews competed individually and as Teams with the team Adams’ & Friends (Executive Decision, Godzilla, Surprise & Arche de Triomphe) on 6 points ahead of Double Trouble (Alex, Joker X2, The Muppet Show) on 14 points and Hobsons Bay (Ikon, De Ja Blue, Rage) on 18 points.

Thank to our volunteer race team and for Royal Brighton Yacht Club in assisting the start and Sandringham Yacht Club for the great finish location.

For the top 3 results  

AMS  

• Overall on AMS 1st Executive Decision (R1121), 2nd The Muppet Show (SM8521), 3rd Ikon (H1010)
• Div 1 - 1st Executive Decision (R1121), 2nd Ikon (H1010), 3rd Aileron (R6785)
• Div 2 – 1st The Muppet Show (SM8521), 2nd Godzilla (R111), 3rd Rage (H74)

ORC 

• Overall ORC 1st Surprise (SM63), 2nd Executive Decision, 3rd Yolla
• Div 1 – 1st Surprise (SM63), 2nd Executive Decision, 3rd Ikon
• Div 2 – 1st Yolla (R1030), 2nd The Muppet Show, 3rd Godzilla

PHS 

• Overall PHS 1st Alex Team Macadie, 2nd Yolla, 3rd Belle
• Div 1 – 1st Alex Team Macadie (SM1400), 2nd Belle (SM700), 3rd Ikon
• Div 2 – 1st Yolla, 2nd Joan Ellen (B548), 3rd The Muppet Show
• Div 3 – 1st Silver Cloud (R3888), Buck (S5352), Rhiannon (SM3929)

Line Honours MRV (SYD5)

Team Prize Win

• 1st Adam’s & Friends (Executive Decision, Godzilla, Surprise & Arche de Triomphe) on 6 points
• 2nd Double Trouble (Alex, Joker X2, The Muppet Show) on 14 points
• 3rd Hobsons Bay (Ikon, De Ja Blue, Rage) on 18 points.

For full results https://www.orcv.org.au/results/2023-24/2024DH/series.htm?ty=99079