Melbourne to Port Fairy (M2PF)

There was always going to be rain.

Robyn Brooke, that oh so famous half of The Secretary Double Handed team, is the assistant Race Director for Port Fairy. The other half of the team, Immediate Past Commordore, George Shaw, is the Race Director. Robyn has posted this information for us. "The race was delayed 30 mins and started at 0400hrs. Conditions, from Dry White and as at 1200hrs were wind on the nose; 15-20knots from WSW with 2 metre seas. They are being pushed further South than they would like and are dropping off the occasional wave."

"Conditions are sunny after some early morning drizzle but the wind is chilly. Pretty Woman decided not to start the race", Robyn said, "so we have the fleet heading for Cape Otway. 13 are still racing now. Independent Endeavour have retired with crew failure listed as the problem. They are due back at Port Phillip Heads at 2000hrs,  this evening."

Ed: Rain is a feature of the area. After all, Cape Otway is a rainforrest....

Cape Otway's Lighthouse - what they are all aiming to be near, but looks like they'll be well out to sea...

Reports from race leader, eXtasea, show conditions to be a bit tougher. "Since the last email, we've been averaging about 28-32 True Wind Speed with the puffs going to more and a pretty nasty chop over swell, too.... Having said that and aside from the occasional squall, it's really quite lovely sailing.... We've had a wonderful view of the cloud capped coast, which would be a nice place to be with your morning coffee and croissant! The ubiquitous dolphin family escort and the usual range of blue and not so blue humour have been the entertainment. Just keeping an eye on the navigation now, as we approach Cape Otway. Lets pray for a nice little right hander as we turn the corner", said Stu Addison from onboard. i can't help thinking they may be asking for a bit too much right now, but we'll see what Huey, the God of Wind, delivers in the next little while.

So you know you want to go off with the fairies. Go HERE for the Tracker.

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

	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.

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

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

	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.

Melbourne to Port Fairy (M2PF)

Brass Tipped.

No. Not some wanfangled bullet or rivet. Simply that The Brass have lobbed in a few more facts and predictions for your consideration set, as the fleet prepare for the annual run to Port Fairy.

The voice of the air, our Peter Clancy has also been watching, considering and evaluating. He offers some sage advice, "Loved Sancerre, but dont the tides play a big big part at Otway and beond, when the wind drops... Take your fishing rod for the big fish." Consideration of the ORCV year book would also be invaluable.

PredictWind models for our area of operation are below. With the breeze in early and on the nose, you'd think Independent Endeavour will enjoy it, as too the heavier cruisers, like Pretty Woman and Inception. Certainly they'll be the most comfortable. eXtasea is always a great bet for a win or a show and along with Chikara Outlaw, they will be making the best of whatever is on offer. The Beneteau pair of Bandit and Dry White will be looming around as well. All crews may well have to endure a bit of that famous Bass Strait washing machine as they make for Cape Otway. Mirrabooka will be making good way in the breeze and I would certainly want to know where Slinky Malinky was, too. I wonder if Eric will turn the AIS off????????

Now as it goes lighter, it will depend on where on is placed and what conditions those around you are experiencing too. Magazan 53 will do well in the lighter stuff, but if she has a lot of ground to make up from earlier, it may get tough. Alien, who had that very spectacular departure from the Rip last Christmas always features on or near the scoreboard, so it will interesting to see how they do early, in preparation for that anticipated lull. Geomatic Joker has performed well in the past, so could be a feature at any stage of this race. At this point, it is hard to see the downwind boats like Team Beyond Outrageous and Spirit of Downunder receiving conditions to play to their strong suits, but you never know as it should be sprung sheets by Lunch on Friday. Being lighter than some, this may mean they get to keep moving if it all goes quiet.

Time for Icpota, I say.

Start time - what a truly sensational outlook for going and sticking your nose out into the Paddock.

Noon on Friday - It's here where Spirt of Downunder, team BO and Chikara could make a good run...

0100hrs on Sat - getting soft.

1900hrs on Sat - ah yes - the ol' light and variable!!!!

So you know you want to go off with the fairies.  This year's race gets underway April 22nd at 0330 from dear old Draper's Reef. Enjoy!!! You can still enter this wonderful race. Go HERE for details.

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

	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.

Melbourne to Port Fairy (M2PF)

Sancerre.

Comes from the Loire Valley and a few nice bottles of it will be what The Brass will be thinking about once they have completed the run to Port Fairy this Easter. You see, The Brass is sailing on Dry White (and there's your link Ross), so it is of no surprise that they have given me the polars from our friends at PredictWind for a Beneteau First 40. Bandit will appreciate that also....

Here's what they had to say, "Looking at the broad weather picture, we have a front approaching, which will give a Westerly breeze for the first part of the journey down the Bay. By race start time, the wind will have turned Sou'westerly with passing showers. So headsails will need changing, reefs will be in and out and wet weather gear will be the order of the day. Don’t forget the tide runs down the coast, so best you get out with the ORCV year book, so you know where to best position your boat."

"By mid afternoon on Friday, we will be at Cape Otway with decisions to be made; tack early and this will take you into the dreaded Moonlight Head. So sail on the low VMG tack, as you will make up the time, a little later. The PredictWind model does not favour rock hopping along the coast either, but has you sailing an extra 20 miles. So Tacticians, (Ed: Notice how The Brass cannot come to the word Naviguesser...) you will need all you skills this week, plus some luck!"

So you know you want to go off with the fairies.  This year's race gets underway April 22nd at 0330 from dear old Draper's Reef. Enjoy!!! You can still enter this wonderful race. Go HERE for details.

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

	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.