ORCV Melbourne Winter Series (MWS)

Roman Sandals.

It was In All Seriesness that Race Director, Robin Hewitt, commented about Goldfinger being toey and general recalls. So that's how we got to Roman Sandals. Here we are then with the first of Steb Fisher's images of the pre-start, general recall and the real start (Div1) that came about, eventually...

Seeing as it was Goldfinger that inspired the headline, this got up for the hero pic. It is Jazz Player crossing behind The Finger.

On any other day, this would have been the likely winner - just can't see a dolphin wearing sandals, but it is an interesting concept!

Apparently a plastic bag was all that this dolphin needed to have a bit of fun... Not sure about the Clean Ocean aspect of all that, however.

Great stuff, Steb.

Like to see the Synchronised Swimmers do it as well...

Also out to play and having a grand old time pre-start, was Schuss.

Second to None was there.

Spirit of Freya, too.

Symmetry aboard Fade 2 Grey and Nutcracker - that man Chris Furey in the bow of the latter...

Despite the sail number, it is Mille Sabords also out for a jaunt. Cool.

In preparation for the General Recall, but everyone really thought it was the start - Goldfinger has the biggest stick by a long way and they intended to use it!

Rack 'em, pack 'em and thankfully, not stack 'em!

No-one really under power - yet...

That's a laid mark, not the pin end to the left of Goldie's bow...

All of sudden, quite a few were not convinced about their proximity to the line...

More and more wanted to find room to come away.

But some wanted to keep it up.

You know, when one goes, they all go - you know?!

So it was on.

Although Ninety Seven said no, we're outta here...

We're going around the top of the Committee Boat and you lot can sort it out.

Little be of argy-bargy up at the boat end and Ninety Seven certainly has no power in the rig.

I loved this when I saw it. That's the smoke from the starter's gun behind Schuss' boom!!! Doh...

We now have some onboard intel from 97, "Starting sequence was by horn. The recalls were by starters shot gun. I’d know ‘cause I woz there. Ninety Seven did a nice barge job on Start One – and was well over the line b4 the final hooter. The sort on manoeuver that ends in tears."

Smoke wafts away in front of XLR8's bow, but it was clear - everyone was going to have to have another go at it.

Who was going to be first to give in?

No-one in this lot it would seem.

Maximising a loosing position, unfortunately.

A few of the bigger rigs are stepping out the back now as the inevitability of the requirement to have another go strikes home.

Still dedicated.

Some of the big guns have backed right off by now.

Off and running, all right.

Given the competition amongst this bunch, I can well understand the reluctance to accept fate...

On the wide angle now - Everyone setting up for a run in to the line.

Biggest rig straight in front of the Committee Boat...

... may have helped shield some, but others were a little like dog's appendages.

No-one wanted to be first to go back around.

XLR8 scrapes in just to windward of the pin.

So after all that, we'll get onto the real Division One start. Again, the images are virtually sequential.

Schuss coming for the pin and our shooter.

The rest of them are stacking up, but Horizon Sprint, in the behind them, is also going for a bit of width.

Second to None also going out a little wider and Challenge locks in top spot. Swordy going for the dash across the front...

Couple of prodders coming at you on bigger boats would have the heart rate up for Tim Olding on Swordfish Trombone. We must get some monitors on skippers at some point. Wouldn't that be a nice feature?!

The front row gets close and some are already relegated to the second row.

Everyone much further back for the second crack at it., some of the bigger rigs starting to get a bit of Larry in them too.

Windward end starting to make a run for it, whereas those at the pin end are starting to run out of room and will have to go up soon...

Bowmen call the drivers up as the gaps close.

Schuss missed the first one pretty clearly and must have a had a few anxious moments here too...

All set to make a race of it...

Clearly it's game on now!

A genuine 'Steb' going on for Schuss.

Then it's Second to None's turn.

Horizon Sprint, Second to None and Schuss carve it up simultaneously...

Beginning the charge, is the Gold Boat.

Magnificent sun glints all over the place.

Three bows, two under sail and one requiring the joy of Herr Diesel's invention.

Coming off the second row was Halcyon, near the pin and Stampede to windward.

Second to None leads away with Horizon Sprint, Goldfinger, Ninety Seven, Wicked and Jazz Player all making their move.

Schuss and Second to None with Horizon Sprint to windward.

to unwrap headsail.Jazz Player and Wicked would fight it out all day, whilst The Finger was just keen to get the horsepower to the ground. Stampede's new prodder appearing into view.

Flight of the bumblebees.

B40 Halcyon, B45 Schuss and B40 Second to None not really going to go very far in that spot...

 

Stampede and that new headsail and below deck furler!

Stampede mowing down Horizon Sprint, who had the Gucci starts. Nice one, Mitchey.

Mile Sabords to windward of XLR8.

Mistress to windward of Freya.

Left to Right - Hush, Beyond Outrageous, Spirit of Freya and Mistress.

 

After the server having a wee spell off, it's good to be back and we'll have more soon...

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

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.