ORCV Melbourne to Apollo Bay (M2AB)

We're In.

Yep. Inside course around Port Phillip has been chosen. It is feral down there and I wont say that it is sunny and already on it's way to 18 here, OK. (We do have the 20 knot wind, however...)

The Dynamic Duo of George Shaw and Robyn Brooke are the onsite Race Management team again for this race. Geo was very thrilled that they picked the right job for the Port Fairy event and he was even more enthusiastic about his choice of location on the phone just now, as well.

Robyn 'All Energy' Brooke has filed this note for us. "Weather carves up the Apollo Bay fleet - Three boats were smart enough to head down to Queenscliff before the weather deteriorated yesterday. We've just had a message from our good friend, David Ellis, who drives Audi Penfold Sport when he can, but has to do the big ones for his day job as a Port Phillip Sea Pilot, advising the sea state was four metres at the Heads and significantly higher further out. At this stage The Brass had already decided to choose the inner Bay race, which starts from Queenscliff and heads up the Western Channel to the top of town …. finishing at Sandringham Yacht Club."

Here's the Van in-situ at King Island, with Vice Commodore, Simon Dryden...

"It is still bleak down here, with occasional glimpses of blue sky and sunlight as we drive past Geelong on the way to Queenscliff in the van, but it has been horrendous overnight and we’ve consequently had withdrawals from:

• Ninety-Seven
• Escapade
• Spirit of Freya
• Dry White
• No Fearr
• Yoko - A pile came loose and Yoko is still caught up in it, unable to get to start line.
• Peregrine

"Geo and I are heading out to the most unusual daylight start, to get some pics and we’ll send you some notes about Gary Tomlins from the Coast Guard, once we get back to dry land. BTW, The Gill jacket for the Naviguesser’s prize will still be awarded and posted out to the winner."

"News just in - the course will be shortened. Now heading straight from the Drapers Reef Start through to the Prince George Pile, on to Sandringham Yacht Club # 1 (Outer Southerly) and thence to the Finish, directly on front of SYC. That is, deleting marks R1 and Outer Anchorage. The rest of fleet, i.e. those not here in Queenscliff, will be advised at the pre race sign on."

"It’s nasty weather, NASTY!!", said Robyn. Ed. Given the experience level there, I can only begin to imagine that if they are saying that, it must be truly horrendous... No wonder the fleet is now only just about 10 in number, from the original 27.

Our good friend and wonderful maritime shooter, Teri Dodds, is down at Queenscliff Harbour and she said to me, just now, "I'm being blown off my feet. Not euphemistically - Literally!! There are the cells that blow through in between the odd patch of sun and they are viscious."

Let the racing begin - and then get the crews to the showers!!!!

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

Below is Tony Bull's shot from  onboard eXtasea during the  2010 event.
	Not a place to go into  in an Easterly or if you  draw too much. Plenty of souls around to ask  about that and there's also  the bombora out the front. Supertramp above looks bad,  but had storm boards in etc. Port was closed thereafter,  though... Don't even attempt to go in  with an Easterly blowing,  however...