Ocean Racing Club of Victoria
Richard Bennett

Melbourne to Hobart - Westcoaster

Race Information

Distance 435nm
Safety Category 2
Start Location Portsea Pier
Start Time 13:00 (1pm)  (Australian Standard Eastern Daylight Time)
Start Date 27 Dec 23
Race Record monohull 1d 17h, 28m 59s Shortwave in 2008, skipper Matthew Short
Race Record Multihull 3d 03h 35m 32s Bagatelle in 1988, skipper Lindsay Cuming
Known also as: Westcoaster

Follow the 2023 Fleet here 


About the Race

The  ORCV “Westcoaster” is a legendary yacht race where tactics and sailing well can crown you as the race champion, regardless of boat size. 

Across the 435nm passage, yachts contend first with Bass Strait before taking on the wilderness and ruggedness of the West Coast of Tasmania and the long ocean swell of the Southern Ocean before turning towards the finish line and the shifting winds of the Derwent.

For 50 years, the Westcoaster has provided sailors with a unique race full of tactical challenges.

 "35 times but never been the same race,"  Robin Hewitt

 "It's a mind race, as much as it's a physical race," Rod Smallman 

"It's the K2 of ocean races, tactical and challenging,"  Ian Lyall 


Thank you to the following Race Partners
Pre-Race - Royal Brighton Yacht Club / Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron
Pre-Race - Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron
Post Race - Derwent Sailing Squadron
Race Start - Sorrento Sailing Club

DSS Boat Sticker   RBYC Logo  RMYS logo  BYS SBSC image 

 

 

Hobart News

Sustainability Competition Winners Sailing towards more responsible ocean racing🌊🌿 Kudos to the ORCV Melbourne to Hobart fleet for championing...

Ginan, wins the Sovereign Series   Ginan, skippered by Cameron McKenzie and Nigel Jones wins the Sovereign Series on AMS and ORC.   Ginan...

2023 Melbourne to Hobart “Westcoaster’ - Final Wrap and Results 10am Tuesday 2 January 2024 Skippers, sailors, supporters and plenty of locals finally got...

Alien wins record-breaking fourth Heemskerk Perpetual Trophy and Peccadillo smashes multihull record in 2023 Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race   After a...

Peccadillo leads while Ginan, Lord Jiminy and Ryujin battle for Heemskirk Perpetual Trophy and line honours Ginan, Ryunjin, and Lord Jiminy battling for...

Ryujin leads on line honours in 2023 Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race  Race Update 10.30 December 28th. Ryujin, the Sayer 12 skippered by Alex Toomey and...

orcv logo reversed

3 Aquatic Drive, Albert Park VIC 3206 Ph. 0493 102 744 E. orcv@orcv.org.au