Wicked Persistence and Strategy for the Win 

It was an absolutely glorious winter day for the Discount Yachting Winter Series Race 3 from Brighton to Sandringham. The race commenced with 34 boats, clear blue skies and winds of 8–10 knots. There was a spectacular display of spinnakers as the fleet came down the course. Just as Carrera S rounded the last marker, the wind diminished, challenging the pace and extending the finish line on the water. While many retired early, many tenaciously pressed on, determined to reach the finish line. Ultimately, it was Gerry Cantwell and his skilled crew sailing Carrera S, a Marten 49, who secured line honours. 

Congratulations goes to Mark Welsh and the crew of Wicked SM4, a Beneteau First 40, for their victorious performance in the Division 1 AMS, ORCc, and PHS. Mark shared his insights into their winning strategy, stating, "we decided to keep her moving through the light patch," highlighting the crew’s willingness to take risks and keen observation for the “inshore breeze, right near the dolphins and seal”. 

WICKED crew persistence paid off today.  Photo Wicked Crew

ORCV extends our congratulations to all the skippers and crews for their remarkable participation and perseverance in today's race. A special acknowledgment is reserved for Mark and his crew of Wicked, whose impeccable performance today resulted in a clean sweep of victories. 

We are also grateful to the dedicated race management volunteers from RBYC, SYC, and ORCV, whose hard work and commitment made today's race possible. 

Next up is the Discount Yachting Winter Series Destination race to Geelong on the 19th of August.  

Casual entries are now open and will close at midnight on the 16th of August 2023.  

Top 3 Provisional Race Results for Race 3 by Class and Divisions: 

AMS Division 1 

• 1^st Wicked 
• 2^nd Suprise 
• 3^rd No Mans Land 

AMS Division 2 

• 1^st Onyx 
• 2^nd Pegasus 
• 3^rd Boomer 

AMS Division 3 

1^st Le Cascadeur 

ORCc Division 1 

• 1^st Wicked  
• 2^nd Suprise 
• 3^rd Carrera S 

ORCc Division 2 

• 1^st Onyx 
• 2^nd Pegasus 
• 3^rd Alien 

ORCc Division 3 

• 1^st Le Cascadeur 

PHS Division 1 

• 1^st Wicked 
• 2^nd Arcadia 
• 3^rd Suprise 

PHS Division 2 

• 1^st Pegasus 
• 2^nd Boomer  
• 3^rd Onyx 

PHS Divisions 3 

• 1^st Le Cascadeur 

Cruising Non Spin

• 1st True Colours 

Double Handed Division 1 

• 1^stXenia 

Double Handed Division 2 

• 1^st Streetcar Racing 
• 2^nd Maverick 

For full results click here 

Discount Yachting Winter Series Race 1:

An impressive victory for Ari Abrahams’s Fargo 

 
Race 1 of the Discount Yachting Winter Series proved to be a test of skill, determination, and resilience for skippers and crew of the twenty-seven yachts who took part in challenging winter conditions on Port Phillip. The 28 nautical mile race started with strong northerly winds between 22-25 knots and by mid-race, more than half of the fleet opted for spinnakers as they raced towards the bottom mark with northerlies gusting to 28 knots. 

Towards the end of the race, competitors were met with a heavy rain squall which was luckily short lived with sunshine following. Despite the challenging conditions, all participants showcased their expertise and passion for winter sailing. 

Congratulations goes to Ari Abrahams and his crew claiming line honors and winning AMS Division 1, ORCc Division 1 and PHS Division 1 sailing Fargo, the recently launched high performance Melges Ic37.

Ari Abrahams and his crew of Fargo Photo Dave Hewison

Ari commented after the race, "It was a challenging day, very windy and cold. With the northerly winds, it was flat at the top but very lumpy at the bottom of the race." Expressing satisfaction with the performance of Fargo, Ari added, "We are very happy with how it performed and are now feeling ready and excited to be taking it up to Hamilton Race Week.”

Overall, Race 1 of the Discount Yachting Winter Series provided an intense and challenging race for skippers and crews, who exhibited exceptional seamanship, teamwork, and determination. 

Wicked Photo Dave Hewison

Congratulations to all skippers and crews for their remarkable performances, and a special acknowledgement to Ari Abrahams and the crew of Fargo for their exceptional achievement. 

We extend our gratitude to the RBYC volunteers, ORCV race management volunteers and dedicated photographers at Dave Hewison Photography who captured the thrilling moments of this memorable series.

Race 2 to Blairgowrie is open for entry and closed at midnight on Wed 5th July here https://www.orcv.org.au/winter-series

Top 3 Race Results for Race1 for Class and Divisions  

AMS Division 1

• 1st Fargo
• 2nd Wicked
• 3rd Ginan

AMS Division 2

• 1st Vertigo
• 2nd Pegasus
• 3rd Alien

AMS Division 3

• 1st Le Cascadeur

ORCc Division 1

• 1st Fargo
• 2nd Wicked
• 3rd Surprise

ORCc Division 2

• 1st Pegasus
• 2nd Alien
• 3rd Maverick

ORCc Division 3

• 1st Le Cascadeur

PHS Division 1

• 1st Fargo
• 2nd Wicked
• 3rd Surprise

PHS Division 2

• 1st Pegasus
• 2nd Vertigo
• 3rd Alien

PHS Divisions 3

• 1st Le Cascadeur

2nd Spirit of Freya

Double Handed Division 1

• 1st Xenia

Double Handed Division 2

• 1st Maverick
• 2nd 2UP

Double Handed Division 3

• 1st Spirit of Freya

For full results click here https://www.orcv.org.au/results/2022-23/

Melbourne's hottest race in the coldest month 

“Best day I’ve had sailing” was how Damien King, co-skipper of the Frers 61 ‘MRV’ sailing double handed summed up the day after taking the overall win in a fleet of 47 yachts in Saturday’s Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV) Winter Series destination race to Geelong.

47 yachts from around the bay at the start Photo Dave Hewison

The last race in the series saw the Lord Warden’s Trophy being awarded to the overall series winner, the Beneteau First 44.7 ‘Another Chapter’, skipper Greg Clinnick.

There was just over one minute between King’s MRV and Jason Close’s J133 Patriot on corrected time (AMS) with MRV setting a cracking pace for the duration of the thirty-four nautical mile race. 

“MRV does well upwind” with a laugh King explained “we were so lucky with the weather, being able to set the main head sail and not have to change sails throughout.” “The new hi-tech sails are lighter but for the size of MRV they can be still super heavy for one person.”

“A few days ago, I thought I was crazy considering sailing MRV in the race double-handed,” explained King. “We’re not really set up for double-handed racing and I found I was racing around doing bit of everything including navigation. Crazy? Maybe but I can say that my co skipper Grant Allen and myself had an absolute ball.” Expanding on that King explained “We have hydraulic winches in the main locations' and standard in other places. Grant ended up hand steering for most of the race and I think we’d both say we were lucky not having to put up any more sails.” 

In very close racing at the start, MRV stayed amongst the leaders to the first mark and extended her lead over the thirty-four nautical mile course to take line honours, twenty-four minutes ahead of the next arrival, Tony Walton’s Reichel/Pugh 46 ‘Hartbreaker’.

Damien King and Grant Allen working hard to the finish on MRV Photo Drew Malcolm Royal Geelong Yacht Club

With the overall series win in sight, Greg Clinnick skipper of the Beneteau First 44.7 ‘Another Chapter’ knew they needed a solid race as they trailed James Russell’s Adams 10 ‘Surprise’ by one point. “We were hoping for a fair bit of upwind and positioned ourselves in the middle of the line at the start and were in the top 4 over the starting line and around the first mark.” explained Clinnick. “We chased that boat speed all the way constantly, where the main sheet wasn’t still for more than 30 seconds for the whole race.”

“Having bought ‘Another Chapter’ during Covid, we are only just learning how to unlock her secrets this being her first full series of racing.” Clinnick went on “We were looking to move to a cruising style boat but still keep that racing advantage, with Another Chapter being built for the Beneteau racing team back in 2004 and why it has a carbon mast and deep keel.” 

Another Chapter Winner of the overall Series Photo Drew Malcolm Royal Geelong Yacht Club

With 2019 being the last time we’ve raced to Geelong, ORCV Commodore Grant Dunoon and skipper of Moody 54 ‘Blue Water Tracks’ commented “It was great to see in the fleet representation by all the bay yacht clubs, coming together to enjoy some strong match racing and Geelong our destination. Royal Geelong Yacht Club turned on the hospitality with berthing, meals and music for allowing crews to share a great evening together.” Dunoon went onto to say “It will be a major milestone with the 50th race to Geelong running in 2023.”

Next race on the ORCV Calendar is the West Offshore Products Coastal Sprint 1 on September 17th with entries open here https://www.orcv.org.au/about-the-series

Provisional Top 3 results of Race 4 of the 2022 Winter Series 

AMS Div 1 1st MRV (SYD5), 2nd Patriot (SM133), 3rd Javelin (M9) 
AMS Div 2 1st Vagabond (S477), 2nd Surprise (SM63) 3rd Onyx (H35) 
with AMS Overall MRV

ORC Div 1 1st Patriot, 2nd MRV, 3rd Wicked (SM4) 
ORC Div 2 1st Surprise 2nd Dynamic (G347) 3rd Ragnar (SM33) 
With overall ORC Patriot

PHS DIv 1 1st MRV, 2nd Goggo (G7007), 3rd Arcadia (S17) 
PHS Div 2 1st Vagabond, 2nd Yolla (R1030), 3rd Blue Water Tracks (B1) 
WIth PHS Overall MRV

Double Handed 1st MRV, 2nd Blue Water Tracks, 3rd Maverick (sm3600)

Cruising Division 1st Serendipity

Line Honours Div 1 and Overall MRV,  Div 2 Vagabond 
 
Top 3 Result for the 2022 Overall Winter Series 

AMS 1st Another Chapter (B71), 2nd Surprise (SM63) 3rd Alien (R880) 
ORC 1st Surprise, 2nd Wicked (S4), 3rd No Mans Land (S6418) 
PHS 1st Another Chapter, 2nd Yolla (R1030)  3rd Alien (R880)

Overall Results can be found here https://www.orcv.org.au/results/2021-22/2022MWS/series.htm?ty=60952

Winter Series Race 4 - Destination Geelong

Thank you to Royal Geelong Yacht Club for hosting the fleet after the 2022 Winter Series race.  Please enjoy the Club Bar when you arrive and stay around for the presentations.  Geelong have arranged for music to start around 5pm for your enjoyment.  Handicaps have been published and Sailing Instructions are here.

For those participating in the Sunday races, Women Skippers and Navigators and Novice Skipper, there will be a briefing on Sunday morning on the deck at the club.   

Photo Competition 

Yes, we are at it again to capture the weekend in as many ways as we can.  You can help us by share your photos with us via Whatsapp here, facebook messager or by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  The best photo submitted by 5 pm on Sunday wins the new ORCV branded neck warmers.

We will have a photographer on the water so follow us on Facebook or Instagram as we share the weekend with you.

Special Draw

We are close to closing out the Van Donations.   This draw will be drawn at the ORCV Winter Series in Geelong on August 20th

Guest Access Card Collection

Access Cards will be available for collection from the RGYC Bar, please see Nigel.

RGYC Café and Bistro - Open Saturday night and Sunday

The Yot Café and Bistro will be open from 5:30pm on Saturday for Dinner and RGYC are putting on music from 5pm. The cafe will reopening for Breakfast 7am on Sunday morning. Please call reception to make a booking on Ph: 03 52293705

Fuel Pump

RGYC has a drive-up fuel dock with an EFTPOS facility for both ULP and Diesel which is located on the west side of the main arm.

Guest Card Key Drop Off

Prior to departure, please drop your Guest Card into one of the following drop boxes that are located:

• To the right of the walkway as you head out onto the new Floating Marina from the RGYC Member Bar.
• Or, near the Fuel Pump located to the right of the gate before you exit the marina walkway.  
  
  
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Berthing Allocations

As of 1pm on Thursday 18th Aug, berthing allocations have been made as per the below with the Marina Map being found here.

If you would like any more information, please contact the RGYC Marina Staff on Ph: 0418 524 867.

DO NOT take any other pen than what is below as this can create ongoing issues and maybe another RGYC members berth.