That's the general consensus here about the M2KI media competition submissions that - unlike the waves over the weekend - flooded their way to the media crew like a five metre swell does over the deck in heavy weather!
The lack of wind obviously got all your creative juices flowing because the variety of media used and diverse ways you told stories was a very pleasant surprise. Who knows, would there have been the opportunity for so much "makin' stuff" if the wind had been puffing a bit harder? One thing we do know: there are some hidden creative skills lurking on ORCV boats.
Because of the scope of material choosing a winner was tough. What we loved was seeing some of the onboard shenanigans, smiling faces, and hearing/reading descriptions of the event. Basically, getting a real feel for the ocean sailing experience as it progresses. We're sure families, friends and fans back onshore love being able to see and hear some of what you get up to, and almost smell some of the sea air as well.
"After a good start out the heads Biddy Hu II slowed to a drift until day break and we got the kite up. This pic was taken while discussing a gybe. It was decided to wait until we finished the egg & bacon rolls and coffee,
"Biddy Hu II saw a whale, seals, dolphins, then consulted a large bird about the wind, and decided to motor to Grassy for steak sangas, well done to those that finished, good luck to those still out there!
The runners up offered some great stuff too. The harrowing tail of Hoppy the Rabbit's journey to King Island is full of drama and intrigue:
Introducing Hoppy Photo: Patricia Peart on Yoko
Photo: Patricia Peart
Photo: Patricia Peart
Photo: Patricia Peart
A bird paddling quicker than Yoko Photo: Patricia Peart
Matrix in front of the sun Photo: Patricia Peart
Matrix Photo: Patricia Peart
Watching Photo: Patricia Peart
Nails match sails Photo: Patricia Peart
Photo: Patricia Peart
Photo: Patricia Peart
Hoppy arrives Photo: Cat Manning
Hoppy Celebrates Photo: Cat Manning
Hoppy celebrates a little much Photo: Cat Manning
Hoppy has a steak sandwich Photo: Cat Manning
Hoppy in disgrace Photo: Cat Manning
Hoppy mingles Photo: Cat Manning
Hoppy wanted one of these Photo: Cat Manning
Stealth by Yoko Photo: Terry Barridge
Cheers to a safe return Photo: Patricia Peart
Well done to all our contributors!
M2KI 2013 presentation photos
After a long, long wait, the Scarlet Runner crew were joined in their celebrations by tired incoming sailors throughout the night.
And so, on Sunday: to the presentations.
Many thanks for these photos from Mark Seager, who remembered to take some snaps even after he and Ray Shaw spent an interminably fun and exciting wait in the committee box.
Enjoy the pictures.
King Island hospitality welcomes in fleet
As presentations were taking place, Grassy Harbour looked like a pane of glass glinting in the Sunday morning sun. The final results were in - finally. No thanks to the wind!
The Scarlet Runner crew looking happy after receiving their prize Photo: Mark Seager
This year's King Island race got off to a reasonably swift start, with crews reporting a quick trip out of past the heads.
That was where the winds pretty much gave way to a consistent wave of calm. Scarlet Runner had the speed to catch the initial wind, but the rest of the fleet missed out and had no chance of catching up.
The race committee had a long wait, but reported everyone safe and well, either in Grassy or motoring their way back to Melbourne, eXtasea the only boat to have any problems - what appears to be a seizing engine.
As for those docked at the King Island Boat Club, Mark Seager says the locals outdid themselves with the reception they have provided our crews.
"The King Island Boat Club Official have informed me that the crews/horses have been well watered and fed to the point of eating them out of house and home," he said.
Congratulations to our place getters for line honours: First place, Scarlet Runner - Emma Hardy, Brett Averay, Matt Fuller, Charles Hawes, Roert Date, Craig Evans, Samantha Chandler, Damian Knightsbridge, Tim Kenner and Kevan Pearce. Second place, eXtasea - Tom Hasner, Damian Charlton, Jane Flowers, Fraser Rudland, John Richards, Simon Hunter, Paul Anderson, Stephane Howarth, Dale Laurie, Bill Marchbank, Grant Moore and James Anderson. Third Place, Primitive Cool - Robert Pollack, Terence Robertson, Tim Bardon, John Newbold, Tony Duckmanton, Matt Fahey and Fletcher Johnson .
Congratulations to our place getters in AMS: First place, Scarlet Runner crew as above Second place, Addiction - David Gordon, Ian Lyall, Peter Davison, Richard McGarvie, Anthony Barbour, Stephen Smith, Belinda Callander, Jurgen Pfeiffer, Jeremy Spradbery and Christian Sandner. Third place, Wicked - David Richardson, Lex O'Connor, Mark Welsh, Mike Welsh, Aaron Ghattas, Michah Shuwalow, Tim Bilham and Michael Reinehr.
Congratulations to our place getters in IRC: First place, Scarlet Runner, crew as above. Second place, Wicked, crew as above. Third place, Halcyon - Bowie Grayson, Ryan Epstein, Chris Tucker, Leeton Hulley, Robyn Curry, Blake Anderson and Bretly Brown.
Congratulations to our place getters in PHS: First place, Addiction, crew as above. Second place, Halcyon, crew as above. Third place, Wicked, crew as above.
A huge congratulations to everyone who competed in the tough conditions.
Keep your eyes open for more photos coming soon...
Update 11/3/13 1am
No wind to help boats over the line
It was tough to catch a break throughout Saturday afternoon and evening for all remaining boats in the M2KI.
Expected to be over the line in time for dinner, competitors were held back by lack of wind, with a number of crews – Biddy Hu II, Magazan 53, Dell Era, and Geomatic - making the tough decision to pull out of the race. Weekend Option begain its traipse home to Melbourne late in the night.
Magazan 53 will be disappointed that lack of wind forced them to head home Photo: Magazan 53
The shore crew, waiting for a faith restoring glimpse of a sail on the horizon, began talk of naps and energy drinks - the expected influx of hungry sailors coming very much later than they had planned for.
With almost no wind to speak of it took until midnight for frustrated crews to start arriving.
eXtasea snuck in just before the clock ticked over to Sunday before Primitive Cool just missed out on a Saturday finish. Wicked was next, the first in a torrent of six boats – Chikara Outlaw, Jazz Player, Halcyon, Addiction and Tevake II – to arrive within an hour of each other.
Finally the race committee jumped to attention after, as Mark Seager reported, “whittling all available sticks” for more than twelve hours after Scarlet Runner arrived.
Hats off to Alien and Matrix, who stuck it out until the early hours of this morning to come in within a minute of each other.
A couple of boats remain stuck out in the Bass Strait east of King Island, and we await their arrival to start looking over official results.
Another Biddy Hu II report gives those of us back on land an indication of how quiet it was out on the water yesterday evening.
E
Updated 10/3/2013 at 7.30am
Fleet almost in to Grassy Harbour
It's going to be a tight one right to the end for the remaining boats in this year's M2KI.
eXtasea is nine and a half nautical miles from the finish line, with a pack racing behind her to the finish.
Jazz Player and Primitive Cool are tussling it out, spitting distance from each other, while Alien, Geomatic and Bacardi are fighting it out about 20 NM away from Grassy.
Handicaps positions have been swapping around all race and that looks set to continue right to the end.
Crews earlier today reported the wind gaining some strength, but it seems to have faded as the day continued.
The Biddy Hu II crew was left asking, "Where has the wind gone?"
"Saturday afternoon on Biddy Hu II, where did the wind go?"
Video: cmttocs
Addiction loving the conditions
Addiction's David Gordon sent through an afternoon update, again describing the "champagne sailing" this year's race has put on offer:
"Over night it was champagne sailing on Addiction alright, but ORCV King Island Brut Curvee vintage 2013 is truly a remarkable drop. An hour after leaving the heads all the bubbles went flat. The easterly wind enjoyed wind enjoyed at the start died abruptly without warning and we were left to ghost along in light and variable westerlies.
Addiction Photo: Addiction
Addiction shrewdly picked the right side of a big shift and in the space of half an hour, the masthead and running lights of the bulk of the fleet twinkled in the night sky way behind us. Navigator, Ian Lyall, said, 'That view is simply stunning!'. All crew agreed that even sans bubbles ORCV sparkling was tasting better than the flat Coke in the icebox. We ghosted along in the fickle and light airs, picking off competitors ahead one by one. By Daybreak Scarlet Runner was the only boat remaining ahead of us. Crikey, how good are we?!
Cometh the morning and cometh a honking northerly to blast us down the course. See - that's the magical thing with ORCV champers, the fizz comes back! We trucked down the course in 20 knots of breeze powered by our masthead spinnacker. Only seven boats remained in sight and all to our stern.
eXtasea Photo: eXtasea
Breeze eased in the afternoon, but the mood aboard remained all good. We were well amused when back marker, eXtasea, finally crept up and passed us. By now though we've had our fill of metaphorical champagne.
Can't wait to pull into Grassy and get a taste of the real stuff!"
- David Gordon, Addiction
Scarlet relaxing
The Scarlet Runner crew has settled in to post-race refreshments, thanking ORCV for a great race.
The Scarlet Runner crew starts their celebrations Photo: Craig Evans
Race directors Ray Shaw and Mark Seager spoke to the smiling team, who said they hadn't managed to get much sleep through the night as they were "feverishly" trying to make the record.
"Now that they are in port, they have had their fair share of King Island delicacies under blue skies and a light 10 knot northeaster," Mark said.
Time for a beer! Photo: Mark Seager
The rest of the fleet is no doubt eager to dig in on arrival and catch up to the Scarlet Crew.