ORCV Melbourne Winter Series (MWS)

 

Where's Col?

Not Wally. Col. As in Col Anderson.

Back in Overboard, we said look out for the man in yellow wet weather gear. Now here he is. Col is known for many, many things, but one of the things I like, is that he was on a certain Challenge 12, back when country of origin meant something (there were no Black Hearts back then) and the amount of beer involved, directly influenced your salary structure.

We're with Tim Olding's, Swordfish Trombone.

Love this one for the rig in the background.

Voila! One Col Anderson.

That's one sly little expression. Would love to know...

BTW, Swordy is a former Chutzpah, just not sure how many ago...

Dark sky, actually, foreboding sky and a little sun on sails etc. Sensational.

With the Channel Marker it's great.

And there was just something about the sky patterns that made this truly magnificent...

Very similar style with Magazan53.

Well heeled. Argh, argh, argh.

Spirit of Freya and Allegresse in the background.

I'm thinking we're looking in towards the shore at Willy. Freya looks great in magnificent contrast to the gloomy day ashore.

Cpt Sally Williams disappears downstairs and let's some other lug have a go! How was it? Yes. Trainspotters will have seen that kite sheet had been with them for a while...

They're on....

Challenge and Ninety Seven on converging tacks.

Two bows - well shot, Steb.

Still don't think they're through.

Ah huh. The old lee-bow trick. The best I ever saw this done was Jim Close driving the 12m Kiwi against the other 12, Kookaburra I. Put Kooka onto the other board - 'spose he had 25tonne displacement to play with...

And then through.

Bombora - If you didn't spot the wet weather gear, well, you may think it was a pleasant little jaunt...

New to the Bay and thrilled they've come out to mix it with Port Phillip's best, is Halcyon.

Lovely shot.

How's it all going at Team BO, Ian. Actually, Janina sails on there too. Any comments?

Just fantastic with the bowman's head peaking around the forestay.

Now here's the whole crew.

Jazzy goes over.

This is Wicked.

Think tank ensuring they are on the money.

Almost over...

And then run away...

Audacious in there and keeping the whole gang fighting for the prizes and scoreboard positions. With all the close racing around, I asked Mark Welsh what he thought of it all, "From a Wicked perspective, last Sunday was another sensational day of yacht racing on Port Phillip and Wicked's crew were absolutely pumped with our result in Race Three. In Race Two, we just could not hold onto the big guys in the stronger breeze and in hindsight, we probably went a bit soft in flying the fractional kite, rather than the masthead, but this just shows how strong the competition is! You have to push it hard, at all times."

"We enjoyed some incredibly close racing all day, playing with the leading Colts, our bigger Brother (the B45, Schuss), Ninety Seven, Swordy, Jazzy and Bombora. I recall one leeward mark rounding, in particular, when we had five or maybe even six of us from the group all approaching the leeward gate and overlapped with each other! To everyone's credit, all went smoothly and without any carnage, although there were some nervous moments. We enjoyed another day when just about everything went right for us. Our crew work was spot-on, which always helps in the stronger wind. Thoroughly enjoying the MWS, the intense competition, the coverage on the ORCV web site. I'm particularly getting a giggle from the photos and one-liners that go with them."

Thank you, very much, Mark. The Committee, Steb and I are very appreciative. Glad you get to enjoy the racing on the day and reviewing it all a bit later...

Glamour shot of Horizon Sprint.

Point Ormond behind Alibi.

More glamour for Alibi.

A boat out for a cruise (yes, in that weather) wondered through the course and fleet.

This is Mille Sabords.

Mille Sabords in the foreground with Phil Bedlington driving Rogue Trader in the background.

Fade 2 Grey.

You do not see many better pictures in terms of composition, contrasting of colour and a little bit of splash to add some action or intensity. ie. Nice.

Look. Add a simple little mark and it gets even better...

This is the Nutcracker and this is her finishing.

Clockwork with most likely, Bombora, as they both make their approach to the finish.

Hush may have been quietly going about her business, but lots of people saw how quick they were...

As mentioned previously, they went three-up for the day.

Marissa McManus ran the foredeck and mast on her own, based on the pics I have seen.

Here's the team. Bet they did not feel the cold!

Now originally, I thought the image below may have Peter Chalkley, but Pete now tells me he is the one in the yellow cap, above. "Nice work with the photos and commentary - also allows the non-sailing family etc to see what we do. That photo of Hush where you thought it was me - nope. The big guy is Andrew (also goes by the name Brian Griffin) - I'm the other one." Fantastic that you are getting something from it all Pete and thanks for letting us know. Look forward to meeting you along the way. Cheers.

I have never met the man, but I think this is Peter Chalkley. People with handicap issues take heed. He is the man you need to see!

This is INSX, now.

Action and a wave.

They know how to sail and are getting the most from their boat. Short odds for them on the Lord Warden Trophy, I would imagine...

Rob Sill driving his INSX last Sunday.

 

Oh yes Oliver. You can have more... very soon. You ain't seen nothing yet.

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.