ORCV Melbourne Winter Series (MWS)

It's Warm Brass (for R6, the final laid marks race).

It had to happen...

It's like saying you're going out into Bass Strait and not expect an absolute pasting at some point during a race or return voyage.

We already saw that the Rocket Man's theory had been blown apart and now the Brass have also signed up for the 'mild is wild' time on Sunday. In the end, you can take some solace in the fact that at least you'll be one kite full warmer than previously. So get your gear off (that's the boat you naughty things) and put some extra drinking water on.

The Brass have offered the following, which includes both information from our friends at PredictWind and the new BoM material, which we featured HERE. "Looking at the weather map and precipitation chart for Sunday, the best thing you can say about it is that it’s going to be dry. So, no gradient wind, warmer temperatures and the seabreeze will come into play. However, you know the rule, no opposing gradient wind equals a weak seabreeze. Therefore, a light ship will be the order of the day and for those crew deemed to be a little unlucky, well, they'll be down below, sitting on top of the keel." Just think though - you're closer to the tea making facilities....

"Unfortunately, the various maps and tables from the BoM and PredictWind tell the same story. So this week, we have as a contrast, not so much Winter and much less wind. Accordingly, the leaders will be anxious and those in second and third will be in with a chance. Tacticians! You will have to be on your game." Boiled lollies or chocolates? That is the the question.

"See you out there." Ah huh. So take that as the Brass are going to be out in force...

Right Oh. So the only things wet out there will be the drinks in the bar afterwards!

Make sure you have the light weather trimmers onboard - and the light strings for the kite!

Cloud cover will burn off eventually, so remember specs and sunscreen - that's for you Dean!

This is what happened to him last time he forgot! Nice specs.

Winds: Nor'norwest of 5s to 10s - PredictWind chart from 1000hrs.

I read this PredictWind chart from 1300hrs, as "finish early to avoid disappointment!"

Expect a bit of this, seems to be the general idea.... Maybe not quite as warm, however. Challenge, here, have been doing well all Winter. What's this amazing, hitherto unseen light stuff going to bring about? To quote dear old Icpota, "Hhmm. Fascinating reading!"

More on it all, right here, over the next little while.... While we're at it, a reminder that whilst R6 is the last of the laid course events, it is only the penultimate of the 2010 MWS. The final event is the M2G on 11/09/10. So far, just 18 of the 40 odd racing boats have completed the additional information that is required if you are going. A few of these are even coming out of their Winter retirement to be in amongst it all.

Now you Racing Division types have almost been surpassed by the new Cruising Division, of which there are now 14 entries. Last year, verging on 60 boats went to Geelong. Time to get a wiggle on, eh. BTW. FREE, yes we said free if you entered the entire MWS. FREE!!!!!!!!!!

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

Friday 27/08/10@1100hrs

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.