ORCV Melbourne to Vanuatu (M2V)

Teri fic pic - or ten...

These © Teri Dodds pics are from the start and the journey out the Heads, as the 2010 M2V fleet got away on July 4. Thank you for the use of them Teri...

A sensational crowd for a Winter's day - thank you to everyone who ventured down - whether yachtie, family or just generally interested. The fleet all made comments to me as we went out the Heads with them about how much it all meant.

A very close start was what the crews turned on for them...

The 51st Project does a sail past to say farewell to friends. He of the loud shorts was he of the loud beannie on the day. Under that atrocious lime green thing, is Smithy...

The very enthusiastic junior supporters are Cheryl's kids and Mum. Erin Foster is holding Christopher, who is Phil (he's the one with the wheel and waving above) and Cheryl's boy. Erin was part of the Top Gun crew that recently won the AWKR, which you can review HERE.

Heading over to the turning mark off Shortland Bluff, with Samskara ahead and to leeward.

And this is mum Cheryl (with the wheel now), Phil signaling that all is set to go and our loud shorts man waving goodbye...

David Stoopman driving his Samskara over towards the turning mark.

Samskara got out the Heads in second place - and yes, that is my lighthouse in the background (Point Lonsdale).

Race leader cleared away like a gazelle with every leap...

Love the groovy 'just right for the press' over-shirts! Nice touch.

Lighthouses and beacons of Shortland Bluff over on the right. They are crucial to navigating Port Phillip Heads successfully.

Reminded me sooooooooooo much of the Marines on Iwo Jima and the flag hoist image, that I just could not wait to get this pic up...

This is certainly one way to get to vanuatu, but most likely, not very comfortable. No wonder the FDU whinge and moan...

FINALLY, the code zero was set and they really did take off. Dave Eichmeyer, who made all her Quantum sails, was out following Scarlet Runner and we thought he'd be having apoplexy and require an air lift!!! (I asked him later and he didn't, so that's a good thing...)

Angus Fletcher driving his Tevake II over to Shotland Bluff (Queenscliff). They were third out the Heads.

Graeme Radford, the boat's designer, will be happy with this image...

A lot less bumpy than the 2006 start. If you remember the image, you'll know why. Go HERE to see what all the fuss is about.

Going up!

Angus surveys the fleet behind and it is Scarlet Runner off in the distance.

Slinky Malinky were on to the kite thing pretty quickly, once they had cleared Point Nepean.

Then it was all about stabilising the kite and getting the headsail down.

ORCV Commodore, George Shaw and our Robyn Brooke (who started, ran and pushed the Vanuatu Humanitarian Aid Project), say goodbye.

Clipping along nicely.

Ingenue (a Jenneau) were over at the start and had to go back. David James and Rosie Collahan are competing with George and Robyn on The Secretary in the Masterchef class, as there is not a Two Handed Division in the 2010 M2V. Don't believe me, here's the rack of lamb from The Secretary during the Apollo Bay race. it's a little fuzzy, as boats tend to move around...

Once outside, Mirrabooka (also a Jenneau) was one, if not, the first, to get a kite up. Remember, they won the start too. Good work.

This is Garisenda, who I am hoping will do well (as they're my dark horse...)

 

As of Monday morning, Scarlet Runner leads from TevakeII and Samskara. Sked information (Radio Schedules are when the fleet radios in to tell us where they are etc.) is HERE and Tracker is HERE.

 

 

By John Curnow