ORCV Novice Race from Geelong 1st September 2019

ORCV Novice Skipper Race is the return race from Geelong on Sunday 1st September. Check out the Notice of Race to see if you qualify which defines a Novice as "A first-time boat owner who has competed, as boat owner or in any other capacity, in less than 10 yacht or dinghy races in the past 10 years; OR A crew member who has no prior experience as a watch leader and who does not normally occupy the role of helms person during a yacht race.“  

Entry is free and yes you still need to register to be in it. https://www.orcv.org.au/online-entry-winter

Photo Credit Bruno Cocozza.

2019 ORCV Women’s Skipper & Navigator Race required light wind sailing plans.

Winning skipper of Xenia, Edel Doyle revealed their successful plan. “We consulted multiple weather sources; Meteye, BOM and watched the ORCV Weather forecast provided Friday evening, and decided that the winds would be towards the middle of the bay on Sunday, so we stuck to our plan and sailed in that direction.”

Edel and Janette onboard Xenia Photo credit Rob Derrick

“The winds were only 3 knots at times gusting to 16 knots with light wind holes, whilst fewer wind holes than Saturday's race, it was very tricky. We found one large wind hole around lunchtime when Janette Connard was on the helm as I was having lunch. Janette did a brilliant job to keep the boat going and overtook the two Sydney 38’s at this point, we knew our decision to stay out in the middle of the bay was the right call,” said Edel.

Xenia is a XP33 owned by Koos Theron and was skippered during the ORCV Winter Series Race 2 to Blairgowrie by Phillip Connard as Koos is currently overseas. Edel who normally sails on another boat, had never met Phillip, Koos or Janette Connard prior to the Race to Blairgowrie. The decision to race in the Winter Series Women’s Skipper and Navigator Race was only made after seeing how well the team worked and their abilities during the race to Blairgowrie.

“We just gelled very well as a team!” said Edel. "I can’t thank Koos and Phillip enough for this special opportunity and so thankful to have a great crew supporting me, our Navigator (Janette) who stepped up had never been in that role prior. Janette was brilliant, keeping us informed, providing key information and feedback on how we were doing. Jeroen De Neve as head sail trimmer, Phillip on main sheet and Rob Derrick weather advisor prior to the race. I just knew that if we had any mechanical or technical issues, I would be well supported. Really great team work, listening and communicating as a team and thank you to the ORCV team as there’s a lot of work that goes into these races,” said Edel.

On behalf of all of us at ORCV, thank you to all competitors in 2019 ORCV Women’s Skipper & Navigator Race.

Women's Skippers & Navigator Race Full Race Results

Celia Dymond and Jacqui Thomas on Faster Forward photo Matt Fahey

Patriot crew photography credit Bruno Cocozza 

ORCV Winter Series Race 2 to Blairgowrie, another “Winter Wonder”

The second race of the ORCV Winter Series brought with it a sunny day with a light northerly wind. The day started at 9 am with 246 crew onboard 42 yachts who made their way out to the start line for the annual flare shoot on a very reflective bay. The forecasted 10-15 knot northerly had not arrived, and sadly never did, as the fleet slowly made their way south to Blairgowrie.

One entrant, which was able to make the most of the light wind conditions, was the J133 “Patriot” skippered by Jason Close. Patriot won AMS, IRC, PHS in Division 1 and the overall Blairgowrie Ice Bucket Trophy.

Patriot at the start Photography Dave Hewison

“We are really happy with the result. The winds were light, so we kept an eye out, searching for breeze lines on the water. We knew from the forecast that the winds were going to be out from the shore, so we kept jibing and looking for the wind,” said Close.

“All of us have sailed 14’ skiffs and been mates for years and enjoy winds from the very light to the strong. We’re all friends and no one is paid to be here. A simple make up of crew that just love sailing together for many years and it’s great to see the ORCV fleet size growing. We do a lot of ORCV events and are very supportive, so keep up the great work ORCV,” said Close.

Rod Smallman on "Maverick" Photography Credit Dave Hewison

Another entrant enjoying the light conditions was Double Handed entrant Rod Smallman sailing Jeanneau Sun Fast 3600 "Maverick" to 1st place.

"We finished with 30 minutes to go. The forecast was 8–12 knots with gusts up to 20 knots, we were lucky to get 5 knots, with large wind holes a plenty. We loved the day and we were lucky to be in the right place at the right time to get wind to get us across the finish line,” said Smallman.

Another great sight was the fleet of 10 yachts sailing from Martha Cove and Safety Beach Yacht Clubs. Sailing were Etoile, Maverick, Wingara, YKnot, Tonik, Rogue, Balance, Crowded House and Joker on Tour. Gareth Davies sailing on Tonik commented, "that it was a real credit to the ORCV for such a professionally run event and well done Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron and Royal Brighton Yacht Club for being such welcoming clubs. And so say all of us too!"

For full race results click here

Rogue Photography Credit Bruno Cocozza