ORCV Melbourne Winter Series (MWS)

Yes way, Jose!

 

Come on baby, light my fire.

Yes. There have been some email, Skype and phone prompts to get on with the business of displaying images from the weekend's MWS. Thank you - really. Now it is just possible that it's because the hot baths have drawn the bruises out by now or maybe soothed the sore heads enough in the aftermath of the SYC Ball, which was held on the Saturday night proceeding racing. No matter. We're ready.

And so then, with a quick pause to thank David Judge and Tony Dawson of Hobson's Bay Yacht Club, for ensuring we had a boat out there and thus get to look at these © Steb Fisher images, were off. Set the paper and twigs, spark the match...

The close racing was a feature of the day. The Race Director and some of the crews have all commented about it. Here is some of it to look at - Tigris, Spirit of Freya and Phil Bedlington driving Rogue Trader for the day.

Around the corner and it looks like they've had a wet ride up to the top....

Under Capricorn's bow just appearing into frame now.

And now Magazan 53 comes in to view.

Looks like Alison Binks is driving.

Might be hard with that much reefed in, but the vang could be looked at before you sit down...

On the second work, Tigris and Rogue Trader were still at it.

Some smiles aboard Tigris...

Oh yeah baby. Pumped Up!!! Watch out Audacious - your reign as the Happiest Crew on the Water may be waning, given how fired up this crew are!

Bombora and Schuss, in the foreground.

Bombora working it up against Challenge.

Was OHHHH SO close to being the hero pic.... great composition.

Classic MWS sort of stuff. Yes. Easy to say from up here...

Right up in the top of the Bay, RMYS as the backdrop.

Fade to Grey is to windward.

Sailing completely different apparent wind angles - Beyond Outrageous and Under Capricorn.

Going through and up and over.

BO now trying to match angle.

... but not going to be able to hold it.

Positively storming along...

And now Beyond Outrageous is behind. Possibly not enough for a tack, yet, but Rachel Hunter....

Smash, smash, smash.

Great stuff. Up to the top and now over to the hitch.

No relaxing yet... yells the Skipper.

Going up next time they were also in a good place.

Talking of close racing, here is Second to None, just in front of this season's new B First40, Halcyon, who are sailing with the standard rags.

Keep an eye on that kite gear.

Trawling this time...

And finished.

Reigning HCOTW holders, Audacious. Watch out. There's a few crews looking at you in much the same way as this image....

Phil Bedlington gives Rogue Trader the GUCCI starts of all starts. Nice work! Daylight for second...

In the melee at the top, with Magazan53 and Under Capricorn coming around the top and heading over to the hitch mark.

Magnificent contrast of hull, sails and sky.

Cloud IX in there with Second to None in a mini Battle of the B's.

Stylish.

Like MotoGp Riders over the bars... great intensity.

Doing well - keep it up, Cloud IX.

Yes. It was the day of the kite. Here Ninety Seven gets theirs sorted, whilst Challenge powers on.

Looks good, but @ 12kn max it's kind of a little bit like a Shakespeare play...

At any rate, thank you for laying marks etc. Reckon James is driving - Cheers mate.

Team Ecky - Ebenezer Good.

Extasea always perform well.

Hello Halcyon. Our new RYCV friends have been out there for every session. Cool. Seem to be getting up to pace quickly...

Flatter will probably suit you better...

Excellent...

And it keeps getting better. Nice.

Mixing it right up with Sistership, Second to None. Love the up and over too, team...

Swordfish Trombone with Team Ecky.

Swordfish prep for the Bag.

And not that far behind serial scoreboard owners, Wicked.

Swordfish Trombones was released by crusty ol' Tom Waits in September, 1983 (and I think he was born in '49). Come to think of it, his voice is about as crusty as the other Krusty - from the Simpsons... Many thanks to Chris Furey for reading the earlier question and answering me with some good detail and a little insight.

Now seeing as we started on a musical note and we are here with Tom Waits, I think we'll finish on a musical note, too. Also, I think I might be a bit gun-shy after the server issues this morning, so I'll push the other half into another piece.

OK Demtellers. (It's on its way...)

The full MWS results to date are HERE.

You can still enter individual MWS races HERE and the M2G is HERE - remember that Cruising Divisions will be offered for the latter event.

 

By John Curnow

Thank you to David Judge and Tony Dawson from Hoobo's for ensuring Steb had a ride and we, therefore, had imagery.
The Colts (Sydney 38s) are having their own fight within the battle - many thanks to Ullman Sails for providing the prize.