ORCV Melbourne to Vanuatu (M2V)

Masterchef Division heats up!

It may have started with Ingenue and The Secretary, but it looks like the 51st Project and now Slinky Malinky have turned the Masterchef Division into the challenge of the Melbourne to Vanuatu race.

The only action stations of the day was down in Slinky Malinky's galley (kitchen). Here, Skipper Eric Marsh, sets about ensuring crew morale stays high.

"Slinky Malinky and her crew enjoyed a pleasant day first day of sailing to Wilsons Promintory, with the second day exploring the Prom - well just a couple of miles around it, at least. It looks like we'll be seeing what the local night life is like too, given that Slinky has 1.2knots of wind with an impressive boat speed of 0.4knots (we're coming to get you Scarlet!!!)", Rowan Pollard tells us from onboard.

This is a reflection of the side of the hull, which is because BASS STRAIT no less, looked like a mirror. Go figure, indeed...

"The frustration of the day has been relieved with fishing, sail changes, fishing, sail changes. It could have been a line in Ground Hog Day. The monotony of ‘let’s put the kite up’, has also meant that we’re now well versed in launching, retrieving and packing the kites - all of them, in fact."

"As the sun was setting and a smell of a roast wafted across the water, it was determined that it had to be Mirrabooka keeping us company. Not to be out done in the Masterchef galley stakes, the crew on Slinky jumped into action in a way that Mat Preston would be proud off! A roast was prepared and happy hour refreshments served up to a deserving and much appreciative crew! Still can’t think of a better way to end the day!!!"

Lovely golds and blue around Slinky's mainsail, but not a lot happening with the tell-tales.

As of about 10am EST on Tuesday 6/7/10, things had improved dramatically, with Rowan informing us that "we are really glad to report that we are now sailing and enjoying the sound of water passing... we're currently doing 7knots in 10knots of breeze from the WSW."

To see where the fleet are located and to look at the sked positions, please go HERE.

By John Curnow