The West Coaster and East Coaster Presentation........ The presentations for the East and West Hobart races were held in great spirit on New Years Eve. The event was kicked of by a highly entertaining presentation by the Governor of Tasmania, the Honourable Peter Underwood.

AFRAYED KNOT out of the Westcoaster FURTHER UPDATE: AFRAYED KNOT reached Stanley just after 2030 hours on Friday 28/12/12.   UPDATE: AFRAYED KNOT advised they motoring to Devonport.  They contacted ORCV via HF marine radio using their emergency antenna. AFRAYED KNOT has run into trouble off the northwest of Hunter Island and retired from the Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster. The Northshore 38 was dismasted at 1220 today, and the crew has cut away their rig to prevent any further danger. There is no other damage to the boat and no one onboard has sustained any injuries. The boat is now under motor and has turned east on its way to Stanley, roughly 40 nautical miles from its current position, and is being monitored bythe ORCV incident management team. YOKO and TURBULENCE diverted their course to assist but have now returned to the race.

Missing Trophies! I would like to apologise to those competititors that failed to be acknowledged for their success in the west and east coast events.   Due to some errors in the haste of the event, the following boats were not awarded prizes at the DSS on Monday 31st.   Goldfinger was not acknowedged for their 1st in IRC (east coast) Spirit of DownUnder was not acknowledged for their 2nd in PHS ( West Coast) , and Cadibarra 8 was not acknowledged for their great doubled handed result gaining 3rd in PHS ( West Coast). Congratulations to them all and apologies to Kate/Peter, Laurie and Paul.   For those that missed our corrections at Hobart, your prizes will be shipped back to Melbourne and can be collected there or awarded at another ceremony as you wish. All results were published correctly on the website.   With Apologies, Donald Fraser Race Director  

Photo Finish in Seaboot Marathon   Leading Austrian yachting magazine, Yachtrevue, has recently published the results of their grueling seaboot test and two brands appear to nudge the rest. Led by ‘the master shoemaker of Vienna’, Mirko, Snajdr, eight models from five different manufacturers were tested according to nine categories, from waterproofness to wearer comfort, in varying environments and conditions. Whilst each model had its strengths and weaknesses, overall the models from Henri Lloyd and Agile were found to produce the best results (see article .). Namely, both the Shadow and Extreme Waterproof boots from Henri Lloyd rated high in waterproofness grip resistance, wearer comfort and foot climate, winning both models the ultimate five star rating in terms of price versus performance. Read the complete article here. http://blog.adventuresafety.com.au/photo-finish-in-seaboot-marathon

eXtasea crosses the line first in Westcoaster As the breeze in the Derwent died for the night the DK46 from Geelong, eXtasea, skippered by Paul Buchholz crossed the finish line to take Line Honours in the Heemskirk Consolidated Melbourne to Hobart race for 2012. 

Samurai Jack arrives in Melbourne 2013 Osaka entrant Samurai Jack arrived in Melbourne last week to compete in the Melbourne to Hobart to Westcoast Race. Michael Lazzarini –Skipper and Ryan Donaldson- crew, came through the oil fields in Bass Strait in some feisty weather and said the fun was had coming through Port Phillip Heads at half tide doing 24 knots with the southerly up their transom! Michael has had a passion to compete in the Osaka race since his Father sailed in the very first Brisbane to Osaka race. He has worked with John Sayer and is familiar with past Osaka entrants Runaway and Wasabi. They are looking forward to the ride down the Westcaost at Christmas.
r all Osaka news click HERE.   Samurai Jack -looking forward to the trip down the Westcoast Michael and Ryan at SYC  

eXtasea on its way to the finish As the Derwent River quietens for the evening the Geelong based DK46, extasea, is close to the finish line.

ORCV Tassie Trio Heemskirk Consolidated Westcoaster.
The Locals have arrived.
Hot August Night, our local compettor from the Derwent Sailing Squadron has docked at the Elizabeth Street Pier in Hobart. Delighted to have them complete the 40th Westcoaster, even if they had to have assistance with a tow in to the pier, as their Diesel is just a little bit worse for wear, blake smoke and all. Local crew, local beer. Tow. Smoke.   Magazan 53, Under Cparicorn and Barinya still out there, but all under 30nm away, so should be good to get here in time for NYE party. br/> Happy days...   ORCV Land also extends on to the RCV Facebook page, so make sure you go and "Like" the page, now. 331 Souls already have and thank you to each and every one of you.
  © John Curnow, ORCV Media Please tact me for re-issue rights.
Heemskirk are proud sponsors of the ORCV's pair of races heading to Hobart just after Christmas. 
heir name has strong link [ ... ]

More Boxing Day Dash pictures The Boxing Day Bash was a great precursor to the Tassie Trio of races, and the massive fleet of 93 yachts was an impressive sight departing from the vicinity of Portsea Pier.

Gusto finished for line honours in Boxing Day Dash Brian Pattinson’s Open 66, Gusto has dashed and won line honours today in the Boxing Day Dash race.  Finishing at 15:15:58 they are just 5 minutes outside of the race record.

Action packed start expected for Tassie Races The final weather briefing for the Melbourne to Hobart Eastcoaster, Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster and Melbourne to Launceston has thrown up some challenging weather conditions for competitors.

Boxing Day Dash off to a quick start Blue skies and spectacular sunshine have sent off the fleet for the 2012 Boxing Day Dash.

The Boxing Day results Corrected There was an error in the Division two results in yesterday's Boxing Day Dash. The results have been corrected and have been posted. Click Here for the results. This error affected the AMS and Performance division so congratulations to those on the podium.

Aquarius joins the Boxing Day Dash We have fifty-four entries in the Boxing Day Dash and Lloyd Hetrick, skippering his Holland 25, Aquarius, is making the early start toward his New Year celebrations at Queenscliff by joining the annual race to Blairgowrie. Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron will again provide great hospitality and mooring for yachts after racing.

Tamar Yacht Club (TYC) does it again! Ken Gourlay cooks a mean steak on the barbie, David Orpwood , John and Coral pour a good beer, Jane and Jim Rogers run a fantastic race between them and the other amazing volunteers (Donelda-Commodore, Peter Newman, Silvia, Jane, Jim, Wendy, David, Sandra, Coral, Adrian, Gaye, Ron, John the list goes on) and if we missed anyone, you know who you are - we were well and truly looked after. You need to experience the wonderful food and hospitality they put on, but what really surpasses all that is their generosity, friendliness and willingness to bend over backwards to help us all out. Ron Chandler and David Orpwood- the mariner managers worked tirelessly from the time the first boat- Gusto got in at  8 am, till the last one – Deliverance- well after midnight. David Orpwood (Orpie or orkward as he is known) kept the beer cold and greeted the crew with their well earned slabs.  He, John and Coral also kept us well watered and happy! J [ ... ]

Melbourne to Launceston Bass Strait Series - update Today the M2L boats competed in the Tamar Yacht Club Classic. Twas an eventful & action packed race on the beautiful smooth waters of the Tamar river today.  Plenty of breeze and wind shifts abounded to challenge the crews.  Some boats experienced some kite handling challenges, while other boats seemed to have a breeze of their own. There was a great tussel between the first 3 boats, No Fearr, The Secretary and Upbeat, all vying for the overall honours of the coveted Bass Strait Series, which is the three races, being the Boxing Day Dash, Mel-Launceston, and the Tamar Yacht Club classic. All results for the M2L series have been posted online here.  The series winner will be announced tonight at the presentation dinner being held at the Tamar Yacht Club.  

M2L Presentation night...more... More photos that is - and without you, the competitors, well we wouldn't be here. The photogenic crew from Bacardi The race director and crew from No Fearr Bacardi with an orange hue - and little UFOs in the background Upbeat - looking rather upbeat - Peter Dunne & crew 2nd AMS Bass Strait Series MAGIC - 2nd PHS M2L, 1st PHS Bass Strait Series & winner of the sandbag award An excited James Robinson, 1st Ocean race, from No Fearr Ingenue with their Kite No Fearr George & Robyn from The Secretary Mike from Deliverance accepting their award - we'll get a translator for him next year !! Leanne from Ingenue - why are you covering the mic dear ? That's better - accept it, you kept us all entertained. Photos by Robbie Eadie There is more footage available at The Examiner  

Moon River A splendid moon greeted the end of the M2L. All boats have arrived! The Melbourne to Launceston race is now complete, with the last boat, Deliverance - a seaworthy design from Sparkman & Stephens, and dating several decades ago finishing just now, at 23:11:47.  Skippered by Graeme Davis, they may be the last boat in, but will survive where others wont. Featured below are more piccies of the delighted finishers.            

M2L - But wait, there's more. Novelties abound The Best Blooper Award, The Sandbag award, the Wooden Spoon, and the best ETA to the finish. The Best ETA award: The challenge was on, at the briefing prior to the event, crew were to give their estimated time of finish when 3 hours from finishing. The correct or closest time was 2 hours and 59 seconds, The Secretary.  You try predicting where you’ll be to the second, on a 10ish tonne boat in a washing machine with variable winds and waves. Well done to Robyn Brook and George Shaw - excellent navigation and sailing. And yes, 2 handed I should add. The Sandbag Award: Magic almost didn’t make it to the start line for the M2L race. I was told by one of the crew who was helming at the time, that he could tell the difference between red and green. Yes, they ran aground near Portsea, but managed to get off with some assistance – no damage done, at least to the boat that is! They got off in time to make it to the start and win t [ ... ]

Winners are grinners. Well, they may or may not be winning, but sailing across that finish line at the mouth of the picturesque Tamar river makes everyone feel like a winner, and grinning aint optional. Pictured below are boats and crew who finished this afternoon, from Ninety Seven, No Fearr, Celeste, and The Secretary.   Ninety Seven   Below No Fearr   Celeste below....    And finally, the dynamic duo George & Robyn on The Secretary  

Bass Strait Series- it's a wrap. A night of celebrations, a few sore heads this morning and no wonder, when No Fearr won the Bass Strait Series for 2012.  They also won the IRC division.  Well done guys. Peter Dunne on Upbeat and his crew were  2nd in the Series, only one point behind No Fearr, great result for the Beneteau 36.7, and they almost stole the lead during the Tamar Classic  -  3rd was  George Shaw and Robyn Brooke - The Secretary. In the performance handicap division, our Ocean Racer of the year for 2011 - Phil Spry-Bailey on Magic was first in PHS. He tells us this will be his last ocean race, but that’s what he said last year, see you next year eh Phil. The Secretary was 2nd with No Fearr  3rd 

Ninety Seven are the second boat to finish the Melbourne to Launceston, crossing the line at 12:31.  There are a number of boats about an hour behind, in No Fearr, The Secretary, and Celeste, followed by Bacardi. Stay tuned for more photos and updates.