PP1 flies into Ronstan Cock of the Bay Record Book 

The power of the mighty Melges 40 yacht was on full display when PP1 flew down the Port Phillip coastline to Mornington to smash the Ronstan Cock of the Bay Race Record today.

PP1 crew concentrating hard to squeeze every second on breaking a race record Photo Michael Currie

Skipper Damian Thomas, from the Sandringham Yacht Club (SYC), could not have asked for better conditions to maximise this powerful one-design grand prix racer.

In a brilliantly executed race, PP1 led the eighty-six boat fleet from the start and didn’t give an inch in her quest to break the race record previously set by Sportscar in 2000, finishing with a time of 1 hour, 37 minutes and 13 seconds.

Owner Jeremy O’Connell was thrilled with the race, but it wasn’t all smooth sailing in the strong northerly breeze on the way to the new race record.

PP1 Crossing the finish Line to set a new record Photo Al Dillon

“We had a fantastic race filled with many tough moments – a broken jib, a canting keel failure and a boat full of water,” said O’Connell.

In a touching tribute, O’Connell dedicated the race win to former crew member, Cameron Dale, who loved a sail with the PP1 lads.

“Undoubtedly this is a race for our great mate Cameron Dale.

“Cameron dreamt of a race like this for many years and we’re stoked to have broken the record,” said O’Connell.

Under grey and menacing skies, the 86-boat fleet popped with colour bringing high-speed entertainment to the hundreds of spectators gathered along the coastline as the fleet made its way to the finishing line just off Mornington Yacht Club.

Spinnakers fill in the Melbourne skyline Photo Michael Currie

Race Director Simon Dryden flew the Y flag enforcing compulsory life jackets for all competitors.

Dryden also directed the fleet to start on a starboard tack and to maintain that tack one minute before and after the start of the race to minimise the likelihood of on water incidents in the strong breeze.

Amidst the volatile Victorian weather conditions and the forecast 39 degree day, the race looked set to start in a 26 knot northerly breeze but fortunately for the fleet, dropped back to a more manageable 20 to 24 knots just before the start.

Safety first as crews setup for a fun sail in the Ronstan Cock of the Bay race Photo Michael Currie

PP1 had a boat speed of 26 knots just after the start and saw a top speed of 27 knots as she planed downwind to victory.

As predicted, Veloce 4 (Phil Simpfendorfer), Scarlet Runner (Rob Date), and Fargo (Ari Abrahams) were all among the top performers crossing the line in that order, also beating the 2000 race record, with just over two minutes separating Veloce 4, also a Melges 40, from PP1.   

The 21 nautical mile race attracted 539 sailors with some burning off their Christmas Day excesses while others were fine tuning their crew work in preparation for the 2024 Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race which starts off Portsea Pier at 10am on Friday 27 of December 2024.

Provisional Results:

Top 3 by Division and Handicap

AMS

Division 1 - 

• 1st  Scarlet Runner  SM13 (Skippered Rob Date) & ORCV Ronstan Cock of the Bay Winner
• 2nd Fargo SM37 (Skippered by Ari Abrahams)
• 3rd Rush 8003 (Skippered by David Eickmeyer)

Division 2 -

• 1st Encore H1020 (Skippered by Bill Feore)
• 2nd Vixen 1 SM0043 (Skippered by Christine Matheou Fox
• 3rd  Alibi SM178 (Skippered by Dennis Hambleton)

ORC

Division 1 - 

• 1st PP1 AUS 40 (Skippered by Damian Thomas)
• 2nd Fargo 
• 3rd Veloce 4 SM40 (Skippered by Phil Simpfendorfer)

Division 2 -

• 1st Surprise SM63 (Skippered by James Russell)
• 2nd Vixen 1
• 3rd Pompette H374 (Skippered by Ryan Blackstock Leo Eeckman)

PHS

Division 1 - 

• 1st PP1 
• 2nd Scarlet Runner
• 3rd Fargo

Division 2 -

• 1st Encore
• 2nd Vixen 1
• 3rd  Pegasus SM0369 (skippered by Andrew Lynch David Lynch)

Double Handed

• 1st  Magellan KI (Skippered by Richard Grant)
• 2nd Rawhide SB110 (Skippered by Cameron Barwick Graeme Sergeant)
• 3rd Unprecedented M3300 (Skippered by Andrew McGrath)

Cruising Divsion

• 1st  La Mer SM6002 (Skippered by Michael Ebeling)
• 2nd Joan Lorraine R4689 (Skippered by Peter Garner)
• 3rd Fortanach S170 (skipppered by Pat Milwright)

Line Honours PP1