Ocean Racing Club of Victoria
Steb Fisher

At the 1505 Position sched, Dekadence is still leading the fleet down the surf coast to Apollo Bay.

As expected, wind strength has reduced which will make progress in the last part of the race, much slower.

The races within the race are well and truly on.  We have several yachts reporting the same positions.

  • You could throw a blanket over Spirit of Downunder and Mille Sabords.
  • Hush, Kiss Goodbye to MS and Undercapricorn must be able to see the whites of each others eyes. 
  • Yoko and Matrix are on top of each other. 
  • Streetcar and Johnny Be Goode also reported the same position.
  • Magzan 53, Magic, TryBooking.com and Deliverence are bringing up the rear.

 

Dekadence reported that they were 30 minutes from the finish line during the 1505 Position Report. They have a little over 4 nautical miles to go to the finish.  The other 19 boats in the fleet are spread out over 17 nautical miles.  The tail enders are off Lorne.

 MilleSabordsTransom

Apollo Bay Race, 1230 hr update from Dry White

Reports just in from Sally Williams, media correspondent on Dry White, is that conditions in the race are definitely easing from this morning.

Currently they are experiencing a 13 knot south-westerly.  The sun is shinning and the crew has been working hard, tacking, tacking and tacking again … on their way down the coast.

At the 1205 Sked the fleet has made good  progress on their way to Apollo Bay. 

Dekadence has retained her lead and we had visual on some of the leading yachts from our position on Teddy’s Lookout above Lorne. 

Magic is working her way  up through the fleet, as is  Johnny Be Good and Slinky Malinky. 

Streetcar and Try Booking are also doing well. 

Crews are reporting 15 – 18knots from the SSW and it is still  mainly sunny with flat seas.

At this stage it looks like a daylight finish for most boats.  The ORCV Van we are now racing down the Great Ocean Road to ensure the arrive before the yachts do!

 1205_Apollo_Bay_Sched_Positions

 

Apollo Bay Race 0905 Update- Fleet off Torquay

At the 0905hrs position reporting radio schedule the fleet was off Torquay.

 The line honours leader is Dekadence, followed by Spirit of Downunder, Halcyon, Dry White and then Mille Sabords.

Cloud IX and Addiction are hugging the coast so much so that they will be able to hear the dogs barking on-shore.  Amongst the fleet, White Noise is the yacht furthest to the east at the moment sailing at 6.5 nautical miles offshore.

It is very pleasant conditions on the Surf Coast this morning.  The sun is out and the morning drizzle is long gone.  The seas are flat and there is a nice SSW 15-18 knot breeze.   Fortunately the breeze is not directly on the nose.  With the breeze coming from 200 degrees and the heading for Apollo Bay bearing 225 degrees, the fleet will have to put in long port tacks and short starboard tacks to reach the finish line.

 2012M2AP_0905update
 


They're back! Fresh from their adventures in the Melbourne to Port Fairy race, Jeff Dusting and Grant Dunoon are tackling the 2012 Melbourne to Apollo Bay race this weekend.

Jeff says, 'I have a love of sailing, and when Grant asked me to join the crew for the Apollo Bay race, I jumped at the chance to sail with these guys - under better circumstances than last time!'

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3 Aquatic Drive, Albert Park VIC 3206 Ph. 0493 102 744 E. orcv@orcv.org.au