ORCV Melbourne to King Island (M2KI as part of the MMOC)

Delightful Autumnal Sailing.

It was a fairly benign and thankfully, quite warm start for the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria fleet at 0000hrs on Friday night. At the Queenscliff start line, the winds were under 10knots and from the predicted WNW quadrant. As they stuck their noses out into Bass Strait they found waves of around just one metre rolling in gently from the SSW.

Councillor Island, which is down the East Coast of King Island, as seen from our Saab TurboProp this morning.

Sometimes the fleet pass in between. Somewhat unfortunately, Independent Endeavour did not make the start, so there will be no Swan on the menu here at King Island today. They will be doubly frustrated, as the weather would really suit the heavier boat looking to get back into it after a substantial refit.

After the first radio sked, we find that the 10knot SW they were experiencing once they got outside have pushed them all along nicely. Here on King Island, we already have a genuine Westerly of 10knots and it is magnificent. What are we doing here with the keyboard in our hands and not the helm?

Chikara Outlaw (a Sayer 44), with her Skipper, Bill Trueman, looking back at us. Pic © and with thanks to Steb Fisher.

One boat not struggling with anything at the moment is our leader, Chikara Outlaw. They have already covered 42.4% of the 114nm course and are due in around 1520hrs. John Hiscock, the Commodore of the King Island Boat Club, believes the Westerly will help kick them along and expects the leaders in for a late lunch. Just touching on food then, John is the man who made famous the much-quoted line in these parts, “The toughest thing about our steak sandwiches are the onions!” Having said all of that, I think that it’s time to go and get my first one of the day.

John Hiscock with those very handy tow ropes, Sally Williams and the Van.

Sitting in behind Chikara Outlaw is Magic Carpet, who are sailing two-handed. Dean Coates and Steve Twentyman will be in nearly an hour behind and they have ‘Ninety Seven’ right on their tale. Geomatic Joker and Jazz Player will also be in the group that will finish one to two hours behind our leader.

One of the things all crews will be keen to remember is that there is a strong Northerly tide that will run a little later in the day. Last year, many crews fared poorly, by not obeying this fact and staying in really close to the beaches and rocks.

By John Curnow