ORCV Melbourne to Apollo Bay (M2AB)
Entrée...
As in Starters...
Our Peter, the voice of Ocean Racing, has just sent the list of starters to me:
- Team Beyond Outrageous
- Biddy HU II
- eXtasea
- Magazan 53
- Magic
- Mille Sabords
- Second to None
- Spirit of Downunder
- White Noise
Just nine got away from the original 27. Wow. Peter Clancy had also just heard from eXtasea, who'd said to him, "Its quite an experience running square up the Western Channel in this wind." Peter also let us know that Slinky Malinky have torn their mainsail, so have withdrawn from the race. This is very disappointing at the best of times, but especially so now, when they were very much in for a chance to get some loot for their efforts in the whole Offshore Championship. As it is now, eXtasea just have finish, in order to finish first. I'll let The Brass re-read the rule book and give me a determination on that...
Race Management were on the Start Boat. Here eXtasea just gets there before Spirit of Downunder, who's under reef.
Now speaking of eXtasea, they do not have there leader onboard today. Paul 'Bucky' Buchholz is away, but did send this in. "Hi John. Just following the race and the start from Chicago USA and Teri's comments about being cold. Am presenting at a conference on here at the moment and couldn't make the race, but am there in spirit with a great crew, some of whom have been with the boat(s) for almost 20 years! This series to us is very important from a historical point of view, with the possibility of getting four straight MOC wins."
That certainly is very true and puts them in the same sort of league as the original Bacardi gang, but there is also some added motivation onboard. It is Tony Bull's first race back after the death of his Father and they are really out there trying to make a show of it for him. Speaking of shows, they have told me that the trip up the Western Channel was "...interesting in such a narrow patch of water with the kite up and the Brace coming out of the Beak" (at the end of the spinnaker pole).
From onboard, Stu Addison told me that they were doing 16 knots easily now and watching behind, as Spirit of Downunder takes ground out of them. "They're flying and really getting in to it. We have also just watched Team Beyond Outrageous go for a big wipeout. The rest of the fleet is under poled out headsail." Must say, would not be Team BO if they were not at full noise with a kite up - God Bless!
Also out there is Hayley Thomas, on Second to None, who started with a slab in, as well. "So we are not allowed out through the Heads...but it is fantastic in the Bay and we are screaming towards the West Channel! The hunt is on!" Only problem is, as the only Beneteau First 40 out there now, they have to go and find someone else to play with...
Second to None's mainsail, obviously during one of the sunny patches. That slab has gone, too...
Aboard Second to None - Helming can be a wet, nasty business on days like this...
Here are some additional images from Robyn Brooke, whilst she was aboard the Start Boat.
Biddy Hu II goes by - bet they put their waterline length to use as the race goes on...
This is Magic, who were third over the line. Phil Spry-Bailey was one of the souls keen to get an Inside course organised in case of this very scenario. Well done, pal...
Magazan 53 with the Queenscliff Tower and Ferry in behind...
Biddy Hu II was the last starter...
Certainly looks wild and wooly out there.
Teri Dodds sent us an image of the Rip from this morning, after watching and shooting the start. "Point Nepean to the left, looking out from Point Lonsdale carpark. Quite nasty oput there!!" was how she put it. Yes. Staying inside was the best call.
Showers (inside a bathroom that is) and food not that far away...
© John Curnow, ORCV Media
Please contact me for re-issue rights.
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Below is Tony Bull's shot from |
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Not a place to go into Supertramp above looks bad, Don't even attempt to go in |
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