Race Updates 69th Apollo Bay Race 2022

11.30 Update Race Director Update

"With the first boat now in sight, the Race Directors Jeremy and Cam reflect on the senseless loss of the ORCV Race Control van as they set up a makeshift race management desk in the cold. The winds have continued to build with some yachts reporting 30 knots at times and the first boat due in within the hour.

It may have been a sailmakers day today for those who still had their light air sails up when the squalls hit. It's now certainly a two sail race thankfully fast still given how cold we are here."

10am Update

Peter Blake skippered KAOS in 1999 to set the monohull race record of 5hours, 24 min and 4 seconds. It's unlikely that we will see a new monohull race record but they are chasing it down as the winds continue to build.

The winds have increased to around 17 knots from the North allowing the fleet to lift their boat speeds to 8 - 10 knots for that quick run the finish line. MRV, Ryujin and Extasea are still leading with a second group lead by White Noise, Tevake II and Patriot. No more whale spot for the crew of Archie as they chase the Coastal Championship prize.

Sadly we say goodbye to the catamaran Crowded House who has retired into Lorne with halyard issues with all OK onboard.

The Race Directors are now in place and await the first yachts expected sometime between now and 1pm.

Archie crew 2022 AB race Photo Jeff Sloan

Archie crew took up whale spotting whilst waiting for the winds to build. Photo Jeff Sloan

View from Rozinante ii going through the heads

View from Rozinante II at the heads Photo Rachel McGuigan

6.30am Update

After a short delay of 15 mins due to lack of wind, a good size fleet of 31 yachts is on the way for the 69th Apollo Bay race in 13 knots from the North. It was Rozinante II and Faster Forward who lead over the start line with Shimmer, Extasea and MRV in a tussle for the lead as they passed Shortland Bluff.

With winds starting to build, MRV soon took the lead out through the heads with Extasea, Ryujin, Alien, Shimmer and Patriot closely following. You can follow the fleet on marine traffic or check back here for more race updates.

Fleet out through the heads

Emergencies Causes work sheet v2