2023 Port Fairy Race Updates

 

Race Update - Jaffa, the first boat finished

Congratulations to Jaffa, skippered by Andrew Neeson taking line honours in the 2023 Port Fairy Yacht Race, finishing the race at 2:50:54 on Saturday 8th April.  

Race Update 11am – From the Race Directors on the Great Ocean Road.

With intermittent sunshine and mist and arriving on the Great Ocean Road around the Bay of Isles, the Race Directors have spotted the leading boats, Jaffa leading and under close chase by handicap leader Joker of Tourer. Since rounding Cape Otway, all yachts remaining in the race are now sailing along the Rhumbline with 6 – 8 knots of boat speed under winds of 21 knots SW – W and gusting to 27 knots all the way through the balance of the race. The prediction is still that the first boats will arrive mid-afternoon and the final boat Alien should arrive early evening in time for the Port Fairy Yacht Club BBQ, ORCV presentation and bands 2nd set
 
Joker on Tourer on Great Ocean Road Photo Chad
Joker on Tourer under chase
 
Race Directors on Great Ocean Road Photo Chad
Assistant Race Directors setup as Jaffa ducks behind the rocks behind them.
 

Saturday 8th April 8 am Update.

With the fleet just rounding Cape Otway having tacked all night in 13 - 18 knots from the SW, we see Jaffa still leading the fleet on line honours and race leader on handicap being with the double-handed entry Grant Chipperfield skipper of Joker on Tourer from Jaffa and White Spirit.  During the night the lead wasn't clear with Justin Brenan's yacht Alien leading for a short time at one point.  The fleet is now in a solid reaching position and will enjoy a faster journey to the finish and is anticipated to arrive in Port Fairy late afternoon. Overnight there were two retirements Alex Team Macadie and Foggy Dew who are returning home with all safe onboard. Follow them to finish here https://race.bluewatertracks.com/2023-port-fairy-race


Friday 7th April 3.30 pm - Race Start

 
The ocean race heading to Port Fairy got underway in light breezes at 3.30pm. White Spirit was first over the line with Jaffa first to navigate and exit the Port Phillip Heads. Watch the tracker tonight as the wind swings to the West and freshen before they turn at Cape Otway for what is predicted to be a fast-reaching finish as they head towards Port Fairy. On current predictions, the first boat is due in at mid-afternoon Saturday. You can watch the fleet on Blue Water Tracks here https://race.bluewatertracks.com/2023-port-fairy-race
 
start Photo Cyrus AllenA small fleet started in 5 knots of breeze Photo Cyrus Allen

Sunday, 09 April 2023 14:21

Double Handed Joker on Tourer wins tough Melbourne to Port Fairy Ocean Race Double-handed Joker on Tourer, Grant Chipperfield’s Elliott 1250 Tourer, has won the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV) tough and gruelling 2023 Melbourne to Port Fairy yacht race, while Andrew Neeson’s Jaffa took line honours. Joker on Tourer winner of the tough ORCV Port Fairy Race. Photo Steb Fisher Jaffa crossing the finish in Port Fairy Photo Arnold Brian “We knew from the start it was going to be a tough race” explained Chipperfield. “You need to do these sorts of races every now and then to prepare your...

Friday, 07 April 2023 16:32

2023 Port Fairy Race Updates   Race Update - Jaffa, the first boat finished Congratulations to Jaffa, skippered by Andrew Neeson taking line honours in the 2023 Port Fairy Yacht Race, finishing the race at 2:50:54 on Saturday 8th April.   Race Update 11am – From the Race Directors on the Great Ocean Road. With intermittent sunshine and mist and arriving on the Great Ocean Road around the Bay of Isles, the Race Directors have spotted the leading boats, Jaffa leading and under close chase by handicap leader Joker of Tourer. Since rounding Cape Otway, all...

Tuesday, 04 April 2023 21:30

A Warm Welcome from the Port Fairy Yacht Club Hi Port Fairy race entrants, Firstly a big welcome to all the entrants in the Port Fairy yacht race from myself and all our committee and members of the PFYC. We realize the challenges in racing to Port Fairy and want to make this a rewarding experience for all that arrive in our harbour. The PFYC has hosted and competed in this event for many years, and will reinstate our reputation as a great host club this year and into the future. What we will offer is as follows, We will allocate berths for each yacht and will have tenders and rescue...

Saturday, 03 April 2021 14:26

Light Conditions make for a very challenging race Carrera S (AUS49005) a Marten 49, skippered by Gerry Cantwell takes 1st on AMS and PHS plus line honours in the 2021 ORCV Port Fairy race in what Gerry sums it up “as a very challenging race. It wasn’t a physical race and I must say and I don’t think I’ve ever had a race where the deck stay dried and was so comfortable. For the first few hours after the start, we found ourselves in a pack with Tevake II and Alien and it was frustrating trying to get away and find what breeze there was in the very light conditions.” As the boats come to...

Thursday, 01 April 2021 19:35

Tevake II crew honour Angus and Holly in the 2021 Port Fairy Yacht Race Tevake II crew at Queenscliff and ready to race tomorrow. It’s great to see TEVAKE II back in an ocean race, sailed by TEVAKE II family in honour of owner/skipper Angus Fletcher.   The crew of Tevake II are seasoned sailors although this race to Port Fairy has mixed feelings for them all, the first race since the passing of Angus. “We had planned the HBYC Sea Pilots race to be the celebratory race for Angus but that was cancelled with the recent Covid – 19 lockdown. Both Angus and Holly...