Thank you goes to Blairgowrie Yacht Club for welcoming and accommodating the growing 40 plus yachts and crews participating in the ORCV Winter Series Race 2. If your boat hasn't confirmed your intention for a free of charge berth or numbers for dinner, please do so tonight. Allocated berths will be posted soon. Gourmet Buffet Dinner and Dessert is $35 per person and includes a glass or wine/beer from 6pm Live Music has been arranged.

Learning to sail in everything, provides Ambition in itself. .... Chris Dare

Winter sailing in Melbourne always provides a challenge as seen in yesterday’s ORCV Winter Series race 1 with light winds. The ORCV Winter Series started with 26 on the line in 2 divisions. The ORCV Race Director shortened that course and race results saw “Ambition” taking Line Honor's, 1st in AMS, 1st in IRC and in 1st in PHS for Division1. Whilst race conditions saw light winds and cool temperature the competition hot and winter light winds sailing skills were put to the test. Results are currently pending protest. For full results click here

ORCV Winter Series Race 1 Ambition Bruno Cocozza Photography

ORCV Winter Series Start also Bruno Cocozza Photography

Close behind Ambition in AMS and IRC Divisions in second place was Gerry Cantwell and his experienced crew on “Carrera S”. Completing the stadium spots were John Newbold’s Primitive Cool (2nd on PHS), Mick and Mark Welsh on “Wicked” (3rd on IRC) and Scott Robinson on “How Bizzare” (3rd on AMS and PHS).

Division 2 saw a great light wind sailing by Will Sheers on “Executive Decision” 1st on AMS, IRC and 2nd on PHS. Great racing by Koos Theron and crew on “Xenia” with 1st on PHS and Russell Hibbert and crew on Next Step with 3rd on AMS and PHS. 

In the post-race interview with Chris Dare he emphasized “predictions indicated light winds and we would need to transition between two weather patterns. We were lucky to get out in front at the start. As we went around the 2nd mark, heading toward to spoil grounds, the winds died off, so my son climbed the mast looking for where the winds were as we sat in a large windless hole/doldrums for about an hour.”

We’ve only owned the boat for less than 12 months with the view that our children needed a pathway and “Ambition” to assist them transition from dinghy sailing to bigger keelboats. “We did have a number of our crew onboard who will compete in the Sydney to Gold Coast although just under half of our crew are under 25 years age"

"Compared to prior years, it was great to see such a large fleet competing yesterday in ORCV Winter Series Race 1. We hope to fit in the Melbourne to Blairgowrie race before heading off north as we really enjoyed having the opportunity, challenges and sailing against similar style boats."

Enter the series or Race 2, The annual Flare Shoot and passage to Blairgowrie.

After the start on the ORCV Winter Series Race 1 Photography:  Dave Hewison

 Light winds proved challenging for all on the ORCV Winter Series Race 1, Photography Dave Hewison

Welcome to all Competitors for the 2019 ORCV Winter Series.

The ORCV welcomes all Skippers and Crew getting set to compete in this year’s Winter Series, commencing with Race One off Royal Brighton Yacht Club tomorrow.

With a solid fleet of 32 boats entered for this year’s series, the Race Committee has chosen to create Two Divisions for the racing fleet, with results being calculated for IRC, AMS and PHS in Divisions 1 and 2, as well as for the combined fleet.

All skippers are asked to check the Winter Series Entrants List HERE to check which division they have been allocated to.

Notice to Competitors No.3 and the updated Sailing Instructions can be found HERE.

The most competitive fleet assembled on the Bay in recent years will see Division One hotly contested by several high profile Grand Prix yachts including Chris Dare’s Ambition, John Newbold’s Primitive Cool, Gerry Cantwell’s Carrera S, and Tony Walton’s Hartbreaker, with a range of other competitive regulars in the 40 to 50 feet range looking to challenge the front runners on handicap honours.

Division Two will see Russell Hibbert’s MC 31 Next Step take on the likes of Rod Smallman’s Maverick (currently the only Double-Handed competitor), and Koos Theron’s X-33 Xenia - one of the stand outs of the 2018 ORCV Winter Series, while also threatening for handicap honours in the combined fleet results.

The Cruising Division is also represented with three competitors for race one, and we are hopeful more will join us, as the series continues.

Tomorrow’s forecast for Port Phillip is for a south to south westerly breeze of 10 – 15 knots, with fresh, cool conditions and the chance of a few light showers, to keep all crew focused to get the job done before heading back to the warmth of the bar of their respective clubs, for a well-earned debrief session.

If you are not sailing but want to watch all the action from close by, make your way down to the Brighton Breakwater for a birds-eye view, or stay tuned to the ORCV Website and Facebook Page for regular updates.

CHANGE OF START LINE Winter Series Race 1

First Race of Winter Series, Saturday 22nd June will now start off RBYC at 10.30 due to lack of depth for some boats. We have updated the Notice of Race and Sailing Instructions. For completeness we have added Notices to competitors 1 and 2.
Given the likely weather we have added extra short courses to take that into account. Looking forward to seeing you on Saturday

Click here to see all the documents https://www.orcv.org.au/race-documents