ORCV Melbourne Winter Series (MWS)

More than a few.

Not drinks. It is just that this batch of Steb Fisher's images had more than a few great examples that could have been the hero pic, but with the thumbnail so small, it really came down to the chosen one.

As you know, by now the weather had kicked in and so, the images show great contrast between the sun reflecting off white boats, sails and the dark, somewhat ominous skies... So. Following on from No wonder and Everybody, here are the next batch of keen finishers.

See what we mean! Wicked pictured here, with Ninety Seven in the background.

Plug, plug, plug. That'll keep them happy, Mark.

Glorious stuff and it is Audacious in behind them.

Chosen for the wave running up and back along the hull. Spirit of Freya in behind them in this one.

Good hiking and more joining the rail party.

That man Smithy in the afterguard, who Mark indicated got the shifts right all day. Well done lad. Black cans for you!

One of those rare times when Driver and Tactician would seem to be thinking the same thing...

Bit less squirt around when this was taken - perhaps they've just gone through.

He of the Loud Shorts in the afterguard and we're getting a wave from Mike Welsh.

Great contrast. Greg - would you mind if wee called the boat Lucy?

Where did that sun come from?

Focal plane correct, with the water sharp right up against the hull, sun on faces... Say. You've done this before!

That's some heel, with the square of the saildrive antifoul visible...

Greg on the wheel and the crew of...

Spirit of Freya may have had to retire on the day, but it didn't stop Steb getting a few images of her as she went back to the bottom for the last time. The crew tell me they are very keen to redeem some of the points on their PHS standing in R5, the Passage Race this Sunday 15/08/10.

The other board.

Two slabs in already, as the day built (and built).

By the time they got to the bottom and had to retire, the squirts were up to 40kn.

Chutzpah38 here shakes off a wave and it is Clockwork in behind them. There are quite a few images in this sequence, but it goes a long way to showing how hard it was getting to make the line.

So then the nose goes and finds another wave to have a go at. Stampede off to our left.

Oh yeah. You're getting wet unless you're below. This was my first choice for hero pic... Guess you can tell why. When Steb sent it to me, having just read No wonder, he said "THIS is a bow wave." Ah. That would be yes...

Lots of spray and mist and wet, wet-weather gear, so as to reflect the sun for our shots here.

In we go - again.

Getting closer to the line now.

But first you have to deal with some more wind, spray, waves etc.

I just bet this one is going to slide up the hull and hit the crew!

Yep!

Sure was.

So, back in, which means...

... you can come out again.

Squirts would have to be in the thirties by now.

Chutzpah finished at 1304hrs and at that time, Fawkner was showing 25kn regularly and the squirts making just on 30kn.

These are sequential, because Stampede's bow is now hidden.

I like this. Hopefully, this Sunday you'll be around the course before anything significant arrives.

Off to the graphics people for inclusion in the brochure. So that would be #2.

Therefore, #3 is this one.

Oooooooooooops. Should have looked on further - #4.

Right. Five it is.

But then what do you do about this one?

And this?

AND this one?

Stern waves rule.

Well this is definitely #6 and you can see why it got up for the prize.

It's poorer cousin.

Subaru eat your heart out. THIS is symmetry.

Well this is just even better.

So that'll be #7. Which one gets your vote, Bruce?

After all that, you're allowed to go home.

We'll show your name for posterity's sake.

And do one last bow wave.

The very last round will be coming soon...

The full MWS results to date are HERE. The next race of the MWS is Race Five - the Passage Race on August 15.

So. If you would like to go for a run with the Colts or any of the other sections represented by the Bay's best, you can. Individual entry for MWS races is HERE and the M2G is HERE - remember that Cruising Divisions will be offered for the latter event.

 

 

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

Thank you to David Judge and Tony Dawson from Hobbo'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.