After a clean start, the twenty-one boat fleet made a fast exit of the “Rip” in a good breeze and flat seas. They were assisted by the last hour of the ebb tide. (Slack water at the “Heads” turning to flood tide was a little over an hour after the start.)
Primitive Cool's first outing in Apollo Bay Race
The recent Melbourne to Port Fairy Race would have been the first ocean race for John Newbold and his crew on Primitive Cool. With the advantage of hindsight this was a good race to miss - given the storm force winds that lashed the fleet during this race.
But John and his crew are now ready and looking forward to Saturday’s Apollo Bay Race where his new boat will make her debut as Primitive Cool. A strong field of 21 boats will leave from Queenscliff at 0630hrs for the run along the coast. The weather predictions are for light winds which will be good for Primitive Cool’s first outing.
Primitive Cool comes from a strong racing pedigree having previously been called AFR Midnight Rambler. A modified Farr 40 One Design, it was the second boat built in the series of boats named Midnight Rambler.
In her previous incarnation, Primitive Cool was modified for better performance in the ocean by shortening the keel and increasing the weight of the keel bulb. The boat competed in six Sydney Hobart Races, the last in 2010. She also won the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia’s Blue Water Pointscore in March, 2007.
Now renamed Primitive Cool, John is keen to see how she will perform in her first outing in Bass Strait.
I think the only thing we can guarantee is that the conditions will improve after a few morning showers. So pack those warm clothes and be prepared for a tough day as the big decisions are stay close to the coast, stay offshore and the tide and how to get to the finish line. We have a competitive fleet of 21 boats so it could be anyone race.
The current forecast has north westerly winds for Friday with a front crossing Victoria on Friday evening, which will have us in a south westerly flow for the start. High pressure will dominate after this so the winds will decrease in strength and the wind could become variable.
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| Friday Morning |
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| Rain hopefully not for too long |
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| This map shows southerly winds |
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| The wind at the start |
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| 13:00 Saturday |
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Approaching the finish line could be challenging |
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| Predictwind map for a 30 footer |
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| Summary for a 30 footer |
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| Predictwind map for a 40 footer |
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| Predictwind Summary for a 40 footer |
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Streetcar, a Jeanneau Sunfast 3200, skippered by Aidan Geysen from Royal Brighton Yacht Club is one of twenty boats that will line-up for the start in the ORCV Apollo Bay race. This fifty-four nautical mile race starting off Queenscliff on Saturday, May 19 at 0630 hrs is a great first ocean passage race for aspiring ocean racers.
Once you have crossed the finish line and have tied-up in the harbour why not take some time to explore Apollo Bay. This seaside township is nestled in the heavily forested rolling foothills of the Otway Ranges and conceals waterfalls and lakes with abundant wildlife.
3 Aquatic Drive, Albert Park VIC 3206 Ph. 0493 102 744 E. orcv@orcv.org.au