Melbourne to Port Fairy (M2PF)

Morning In eXtasea.

eXtasea is leading the 2011 Melbourne to Port Fairy Race. Her owner, ORCV Committee Member, Paul Buchholz is not onboard, but with ORCV Commodore, Don Fraser, with Vice Commodore, Simon Dryden and Committee Member, Jeremy Walton part of the crew on Dry White, who are very much near the front of the fleet, there's plenty of Brass around to keep it all honest. Dry White's Sistership, Bandit, is also right in there.

From onboard eXtasea, Stu Addison has kindly passed on this information. "We are currently about 18 miles north of Apollo Bay, TWD 277, BSP 7.5 in 13knots and a short slightly ugly chop. We can see Outlaw off the stern, which is probably a little closer than we'd like, but hey, she's a quick boat, full to the gunwale with good sailors! Maybe we can strectch a bit more through the day."

Extasea near Point Lonsdale - pic © to and courtesy of Teri Dodds.

"Paul, our esteemed leader, had to pull out at the last minute which is a bit of a bummer, as Eccy is loving these conditions and I'm sure he would too! This left me in a somewhat mad panic when I arrived in Geelong last night to find out I was going to be the Naviguesser. I attempted to trade my wet weather gear for slippers, a roll neck jumper and a pipe. Can I tell you that I almost got arrested asking a nice police officer where I could get a decent pipe in Geelong on a thusday night! Luckily Buccy (Paul) was able to brief me on the boat, the nav setup and where the port is stowed in the nav desk before we headed off", Stu commented.

"As we get closer to Cape Otway, we expect to be headed a little, so currently deciding whether to sail into the shift or step-up to the coast for maximum benefit. Will look at the gribs when I finish this note and we'll get a gameplan going."

"Looking forward to dusk off the 12 apostles all going to plan and we've got the Hot Cross Buns in the oven." Ed. Excellent work lad.

So you know you want to go off with the fairies.  This year's race got underway April 22nd at 0330 from dear old Draper's Reef. Go HERE for the Tracker.

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

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	This is one hell of a tourist destination! Bring the shore crew - they'll love you for it and you'll get leave passes  whenever you want from then on.  No. Really. Promise.