NEAR RECORD FLEET FOR 2022 COCK OF THE BAY YACHT RACE

The Ocean Racing Club of Victoria’s (ORCV) Cock of the Bay Yacht Race, or Boxing Day Dash, is living up to its reputation as a hugely popular 21 nautical mile post-Christmas race with over 100 boats entered in this year’s event, in what could be a near record fleet for the classic race.

Port Philip Bay will be awash with colour as the 100-strong fleet race past major bayside locations, putting on a magnificent show for spectators and sailors alike.

The race starts at 10:30 on Boxing Day (Monday 26 December) near Station Pier in Port Melbourne and will pass close to St Kilda Pier, Brighton Pier, Sandringham, and the Hampton foreshore, finishing at Mornington Yacht Club, providing plenty of vantage points for spectators relaxing along the shoreline.

It will be hectic on the water from the get-go with plenty of pressure piled on the long start line. Winning the start in such a large fleet will be tough so expect skippers to claim and defend a lane well before the gun, while a few of the adventurous ones might try a port tack approach to find a hole on the line.

Ari Abrahams will be hoping for a late Christmas gift and a clean start in his pursuit of a third overall race win on the trot for his X yacht, Xpresso, however, he will be facing fierce competition from the large and diverse fleet.

Xpresso competing in the 2019 Cock of the Bay Yacht Race Photo credit Bruno Cocozza

Favourites for line honours include Antony Walton’s Reichel/Pugh 46, Hartbreaker, Gerry Cantwell’s Marten 49, Carrera S, Kevin Curtis and Jimmy Oosterweghel’s Class 40 yacht, Lord Jiminy, and Rob Date’s sleek racing boat, the Carkeek 43, Scarlet Runner.

The Cock of the Bay Yacht Race serves as a feeder race for this year’s 50^th Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race which starts at 12 noon the following day, so Abrahams can expect some tough competition from the anniversary fleet which will be consolidating boat procedures and refining their crew work before their run down to Hobart.

The race includes divisions for monohulls, multihulls, double handed and cruising non-spinnaker boats under AMS, ORCc, IRC and PHS handicaps.

The weather forecast is for a light southerly breeze of around six knots at the start of the race, which is likely to favour the lighter sports boats, building to 15 to 20 knots as the race progresses. Particular interest will focus on various races within the race such as the five Beneteau First 40s fighting tooth and nail: Mark Welsh’s Wicked, Jim Leckey’s Oobleck, Nick Foa’s Protagonist, David Morrell’s Just Chillin’ and Ashley Trebilock’s Bandit.

Lord Jiminy will be a boat to watch in the 2022 Cock of the Bay Yacht Race Photo credit Michael Currie

The fleet will include several Melbourne to Hobart contenders from Tasmania with top performances expected from Brent McKay’s Bakewell-White Z39, Jazz Player, which has good form against the mostly Victorian fleet, and Richard Grant’s Knoop 39, Cromarty Magellan.

While the Tasmanian sailors may be in good form, there’s nothing like the benefit of local knowledge, so watch out for the street smarts of Mark Nicholson and his crew on the J121, Javelin, while Steve Twentyman’s Hanse 505, Shimmer, will give the race a good shake especially as the wind builds.

Contenders in the double-handed division include ORCV Past Commodore, Grant Dunoon sailing the Moody 54 Ds, Blue Water Tracks, also a Melbourne to Hobart contender, Dan Morrow’s 11 Metre One Design, Affirmative Action, which placed second in the Festival of Sails in both 2021 and 2022, and Greg Laing’s Beneteau Oceanis 43, Letoile.

The race record for monohulls was set in 2020 by Paul Buchholz's Cookson 50, Extasea in a time of time of 4 hours, 2 minutes and 9 seconds.

The race is also a favourite for sailors and their families, with many using the event as a sailing sendoff prior to the start of the Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race.

Damien King, skipper of the Frers 61, Margaret Rintoul V, says the boat will be chock a block with family and friends for the race. “We will be taking every family member that’s in Melbourne out for the race – it’s so much fun and it will be great to sail in such a big fleet,” said King.

For Entry, Notice of Race and List of Entries, please visit: https://www.orcv.org.au/sailing/races/boxingday-dash-cock-of-the-bay

Line honours pending after closest race for years

Under grey skies and light rain falling, 84 yachts with more than 600 crew onboard, set sail from Port Melbourne in the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria’s annual Cock of the Bay race to Blairgowrie.

New arrival to the Victorian racing fleet, Leigh Dorrington’s Reichel Pugh Ccr 50 Original Sin has taken provisional line honours, ahead of John Paterson's Farr 45 Rush, which led the fleet across the start line off Port Melbourne at 10.30am. Original Sin crossed the finishing line at the Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron on Mornington Peninsula five hours and twenty-two minutes later and is now awaiting review of a protest.

Rush and Original Sin dual all the way to Blairgowrie Photo Michael Currie

With a strong southerly blowing during the day most of the fleet tacked continuously across the rhumbline to the Mornington mark before easing sheets and enjoying a fast reach to the finish line.

Media boats and news helicopters followed the fleet as they started and with a strong southerly and choppy sea it was time for the crews to work off their Christmas lunch.

At the first mark it was Bryan Dorman’s 60-footer Journey leading the fleet closely followed by Robert Green’s Pacific 50 Dream with Original Sin nipping at their heels.

Rounding the Sandringham mark navigators were put to work plotting the best southerly course to the finish. As they passed the Mornington mark, Race Director Jeremy Walton commented, “I could not see any gaps between the first four yachts. Original Sin, Dream, Journey and Rush. It's going to be close, very close race to the line”

Walton added “the Beneteau First forties have had a magnificent run down the bay” and are nipping at the heels of the bigger boats. As they passed the last mark it was a drag race to the finish. This is one of the best Cock of the Bay races we have seen for years”

For 5 hours the fleet tacked all the way to Blairgowrie Photo Michael Currie.

Race results when finalised will be posted at https://www.orcv.org.au/results/2021-22/2021COB/series.htm?ty=33173

 Provisional Race Result are:

AMS Divison 1:  1st Espirit  2nd Niche, 3rd BKT Jamhu
AMS Division 2: 1st Alibi, 2nd Bacardi 3rd Expresso
AMS Division 3: 1st Mr Bojangles, 2nd Sundowner, 3rd E'toile

ORC Division 1: 1st Espirit, 2nd Wicked, 3rd Niche
ORC Divison 2: 1st Alibi, 2nd Arch De Triomphe 3rd Expresso
ORC Division 3:  1st Sundowner

PHS Division 1:  Espirit  2nd Oobleck  3rd Dream
PHS Division 2:  1st Vixen, 2nd Bacardi 3rd Alibi
PHS Division 3:  1st Sundowner 2nd E'Toile

DH:  1st Team - Alex Macadie 2nd Gusto Solo

Cruising Division 1:  1st Stampede
Cruising Division 2: 1st  Bushranger, 2nd Xpresso, 3rd True Colours (SM444)
Cruising Divison 3:  1st Razzle Dazzle, 2nd Sundowner, 3rd E'Toile

OMR:  1st It's a Privilege

Line Honours:  To be confirmed 

2021 ORCV Cock of the Bay Weather Prediction

 Looks like the prediction is for a Southerly 15 - 20 knots for this Sunday's ORCV Cock of the Bay and it will be a tactical race for which way you choose to go.

This video also includes a short forecast for the Offshore races which start at 2.30 on Monday from Portsea Pier.

2021 Cock of the Bay, Berthing, Meals and How to Add Crew

Berthing at Blairgowrie (BYS) marina for competing boats in 2021 ORCV Cock of the Bay has been kindly made available at no charge for the night by BYS.  We ask, where possible you try and use the clubhouse for food and drinks and acknowledge BYS members, volunteers and staff, for the amazing effort they go to host us so we can enjoy the beautiful clubhouse and Mornington Peninsula.

It is a condition of entry that boats must berth in accordance with the directions of the BYS Marina Master and into the pens allocated below.  Do not berth in unallocate empty pens as this may cause an inconvenience to BYS members returning home.   Those boats not participating in the Petersville Regatta will need to vacate by 10am on December 27th.  Provision and come boats may need to move to allow for the Offshore fleet space to depart.

Please ensure all crew have their vaccination certificates ready and everyone QR codes in to the marina and clubhouse.

Some late entries for the Race have been placed onto a waitlist for a place as indicated below.  You can try your luck on the day (by calling in) to see if any places have come free, otherwise, we do suggest you make alternative arrangements.

Boats having any questions regarding their allocated berth should contact us immediately at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.prior to the race.

Adding Crew & POB Information

The ORCV office and Incident Management Team check your crew information on Thursday 23 December and Friday 24 December so please help us out by making sure you add in your crew today or tomorrow at the latest.

Click pdf here (139 KB) details about the information we need, how to add/drop crew and remember you need to tick the "on board" box next to each POB.  If you need any assistance with your crew lists, please email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call the office mobile (during office hours) 0493 102 744.

Updated Meals at Blairgowrie

All the below is Subject to Density Limits.

Over the weekend BYS have found some more places and will be allowing you up to enjoy a drink after the race, irrespective of having a dinner booking.

Dinner bookings for the 7pm Buffet meal close at 3pm on Thursday the 23rd and can be booked  here.  Due to capacity limits, participants that have not booked and paid for the buffet meal will need to move off the deck at 6pm to allow space for those who are having dinner at the club. A can bar will be operating out of the downstairs canteen from 5pm until 8pm. There is limited space still, so we do strongly recommend you book your buffet dinner now. Take away beer is available for enjoyment on your boat.

 Presentation

The Race Director will SMS skippers if the presentation is to be earlier than 7 pm and will be held on the clubhouse balcony.

 Berthing at BYS

• Once you're in the pen allocated below, your boats welcome packs and dinner tickets (if applicable) will be picked up at the end of the pier.  In these packs you will find your regatta passes give you access to

The marina 24/7
Showers and toilets located in the Junior Lounge (ground floor of the main Club building) 7am - 11pm only
Showers and toilets located on the first floor in the building behind Scotts’ Shed 24/7
Please ensure you only berth in your nominated pen as defined below.  
Marina WIFI  Password = BYSM2018

• Access cards are to be returned before departure to the silver box marked "marina cards drop box" located on each marina arm.

BYS Covid Rules

• • All regatta participants must check in using the QR Code at the Marina Gates.  Please do so when entering/exiting the Marina gates.
  • All persons visiting the club will be required to show proof of their vaccination status and check in.

Blairgowrie Marina Map pdf click here (349 KB)  

Berthing has been arranged by BYS based on the following:  Offshore Boats given berths to allow for rest and power for fridges and food storage and then the balance have been allocated based on availability and date of booking.  Some boats are on a waitlist and can call as you get closer to see if any places have come free. BYS Marina Office number is 03 - 5925 9611 for those waitlisted

Sailing Instructions and Notice to Competitors are out for both races and can be found here 

Enjoy the races and feel free to share photos of the day with us via This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and thank you BYS.