ORCV Melbourne to Apollo Bay (M2AB)

Light Weather Specialists.

... are going to love the 2010 M2AB race from 0100 on Saturday 15/05/10. Having said all of that, I am very quickly reminding myself of the recent MTH race and the fact that the weather will do precisely what it wants, when it wants... Note to self - plenty of thermals!!! (cold and damp - not good for former ocean yachties with lung issues). Note to catering officer - HOT DRINKS! (and lots thereof).

Wicked is one boast to watch out for... Pic © Steb Fisher

The wind models show the race starting with winds from the NW at around 5knots and by Saturday evening, it has clocked all the way through the Southern quadrants to the NE and is around 10-15knots. There is a 1m sea on top of a 2-3m SW swell. You would want to correlate all that with your Tidetech information, as the clever Naviguessers will have the boat in the right spot at the right time for the Trimmers to get a bit of poke out of the sails. Remember that there is a strong current that runs along the beach here and even extends out to sea a little. Some may even be able to get the light Aces up and working, so I will be very keen to get the onboard intel from the likes of our HCOTW holders, Audacious, Geo and Robyn on The Secretary and of course, Mystery Man on whatever boat he's travelling on.

This anticipated light weather will suit the more modern and lighter boats and so Extasea, Beyond Outrageous and Audacious should no doubt be up front. Wicked will be the one to watch, as she is light and has an experienced crew onboard. Remedy has also got be looked at, as she will represent the smaller boats and if there is the anticipated seabreezes, then she could bring home the handicap bacon. Chikara Outlaw is another boat that will be keen to receive anything, as long as it includes sprung sheets or kites. Of course the B45s have a great rating, so if the crew on Schuss get the boat to sail to rating, then they'll have to be a feature on the scoreboard.

Bombora are joining us for the M2AB.

One of the factors worth mentioning here is the fog. If it get's burnt early, then there'll be an earlier and stronger seabreeze for the afternoon. Where the boats are, relative to the fog clearing, will determine finishing order, just as it did in last year's M2S.

The answer to all of this is fun and games. With so much riding on the results in so many categories, this is bound to be an interesting race.

By John Curnow