2016 Stanley Race - our Offshore racing season is now officially open!

This year's Melbourne to Stanley Notice of Race has been published and online entries are now open, what means that the coveted ORCV Offshore Championship is now open!

The Smithton Lions Club have already started planning great celebrations for the event with entertainment from local bands on Saturday evening and throughout the weekend, food markets and harbour activities, alongside their welcoming catering and hospitality for all boats and crew. So join our ocean fleet and help us make the event a great spectacle for the local community and ourselves!

As usual, we are here to help you make it to the start line and beyond!

Note: that this race is a qualifying race for both the ORCV races to Hobart and the Sydney Hobart race conducted by the CYCA.

See you on the water and in Stanley!

For race documents and to enter visit the Stanley Race page: Stanley Race page

THE 2015 STANLEY RACE- FINAL WRAP-UP

The Protest has been Ammended

At the protest hearing, neither the RO nor Primitive Cool were in possession of the phones that sent/received the position text conversation. The RO was unsure of when the texts were sent and Primitive Cool stated that they were sent after the 12:05 sched.

Following the hearing the RO charged the ORCV phone, retrieved the tracker (through which the text was sent) and forwarded to the Protest Committee images of both, including a timestamp on the messages. The timestamps show that the conversation occurred between 08:06 and 08:09 and not after the 12:05 sched.

The Protest Committee have updated the facts found, conclusion but not the decision of the hearing. See below

2015 11 05 ORCV vs Primitive Cool V2

The results as announced and published last weekend were, as always, provisional and subject to protest.
The HF radio environment during the race was certainly challenging at times but the very great majority of boats managed to comply with their positon reporting obligations throughout the race, either directly or through relays from other boats in the fleet. Even though we now have trackers, radio position reports still play a major role in managing the overall safety of our races and it is critical that all boats take them very seriously. The Sailing Instructions are very clear about the mandatory requirement to participate in radio scheds, with possible penalties ranging from percentage increases to a boat’s elapsed time, through ultimately to disqualification depending on the seriousness of the infraction(s) as judged by a protest committee.
Unfortunately, one boat did not satisfactorily participate in the radio scheds as required and the Race Director had no option but to refer the matter to a independent protest committee. The outcome of that protest has been a percentage increase in one boat’s elapsed time and the results have been accordingly adjusted and have now been published as final.

To read the facts found and the result of the protest please click on the link 2015 11 05 ORCV vs Primitive Cool

 It’s a wrap, 2015 Melbourne Stanley Race

The 2015 Stanley race promised lots and gave plenty. To begin with a strong fleet of 17 yachts graced the start. The expectation of consistent easterlies offering a reaching race with the possibility of a record finish time was exciting. The new ORCV trackers were all sending strong signals to the race manager and the fleet jostled for position ahead of the start.

Winds abated slightly and fluctuated in direction pre start. With a heavy traffic flow through the shipping lanes and abated breeze the race was delayed thirty minutes. A good start was made and the fleet passed out of the heads with some challenges negotiating the continuous traffic. Once clear everybody set a course on the rhumb line heading straight for Stanley. Good progress was made throughout the night and boats were making good speed. Early on Saturday morning a storm system passed by the fleet causing some fluctuating wind situations for the fleet. Several of the fleet found themselves in a lull and dropped back whilst others made good ground. As the day wore on the leaders stretched the gap on the rest and a couple of small groups developed behind the leaders, the battles within these groups were fierce as they were within sight of each other and pushing hard. 

Primitive Cool along with Cadibarra 8 and Rush had stretched the lead. By late morning Primitive Cool was making great time and looking good for the race record. Facebook was going crazy with interest and the Tassie locals were congregating in anticipation. However as often happens you need everything on your side to obtain a record and in this instance the winds abated a little, even though they moved North Easterly, and the fleet slowed again. All of this was clearly visible due to the accuracy and consistency of the new trackers.

The sea state was still good and apart from a few showers the crews were having a comfortable and fast sail. Primitive Cool took line honours followed by Cadibarra 8 an hour or so later. Rush and Extasea arrived in daylight and the locals who had been partying all afternoon welcomed them warmly. 

A significant gap had opened up on the rest of the fleet so now there was quite a wait for the next group. It was challenging communicating with the fleet with some HF radio challenges but the trackers made positions clear.  About 2330 the next of the fleet appeared around The Nut out of a gloomy fog. It was quite exciting for the next couple of hours as small groups of duelling yachts popped out of the fog around the big rock and rapidly closed on the finish line.

Three of the fleet made a rapid turnaround for home while the rest rafted up and walked across the road to enjoy the festivities in the old Stanley Cool Store hosted by Cheryl and the Lions club team and a range of local businesses. Steaks and Cold beers were the order of the day. A television had been especially installed so it was the World Cup and beers till the early hours

Those that had had a kip joined the all-nighters for breakfast, presentations and entertainment from the Navy Band. The more adventurous climbed The Nut in an unorthodox manner. Throughout the day some crews readied for an overnight return whilst others continued to enjoy the hospitality.

All in all everyone had a great race. Thanks go to the organising committee for getting everything set in place. The Lions Club did a fabulous job of creating a great mooring arrangement all brightly lit in the fishing harbour and adjacent to the entertainment. The new trackers did a great job and upgraded software will see them give a great overview for the Christmas series. Some work on the communications procedures will clarify things for The Tassie Trio and we look forward to seeing you all join in that series.

Weather for the Melbourne Stanley Race 2015

The weather is looking fabulous for a great race across to Stanley this year. Prevailing winds will be from the East at around 20 knots. This means that the yachts will be on a reach achieving good speed in a direct line to Stanley. The race record of just over 14 hours will be under threat if these conditions remain as forecast. The larger boats should be across in around 13 hours. The mid-sized Beneteau First 40 type boats will arrive around mid-afternoon 1400 or so and the smallest yachts should join the party by 2200.

For all of you weather gurus there are no weather warning for the area in the next 24 hours. Winds will be from the East around 10-15 knots strengthening to 20 knots. The swell will be a minor impediment around a metre from the South west. Prevailing high pressure system over Tasmania will move slowly to the east as a cold front eases in from South Australia. This means late Saturday the winds will start to move North-easterly at about 20 knots. During Sunday morning the cold front will start to move the wind around to the west at about 15knots and bring possibility of showers. So while it may be a little cooler for the return trip good reaching conditions running with the swell should make for a pleasant sail.

Hope you have a great trip Simon and Bruce