McConaghy Melbourne Offshore Championship

(M2S as part of the MMOC)

They're ready for us...

Stanley are ready for us and have the Dockside Festival all set to go. The picture below is of the 'Vivienne Jane', which will be tied to the long finger at Stanley, all ready for any of the 50footers with their deep keels to come in to raft up next to. So if the surge is right (and based on the current weather predictions - it is) and the urge is there, pop in and partake of the local hospitality. If they don't, first in, first served I reckon!!!

'Vivienne Jane' is ready for you too!

 

Here's the best news - Breakfast is being served from 04:00 at a cost of just $10. Coolio.

 

This is "The Nut' at Stanley - just so you can recognise it when you wake up in the morning, given most get there in the dark!

Now we need to thank our hosts at Stanley. Like all our destinations, they go to a lot of effort and we would be lost without them. Stanley looks forward to this, perhaps not the arrival times too much tough, so let's repay their kindness. Many thanks to Mary Kay from Smithton Radio as well. Smithton is not to far down the road from Stanley if you're touring and want to stop in and say hi.

Special thanks to Sheryl Robson and the Lions Club for all their efforts in preparing the Dockside Festival. Now to the owners of the 'Vivienne Jane' - a father and Son team, Mark and Jim Hursey, who are 35 year fishing veterans of the area! They put their boat on the quay for us to raft up to, place the buoy and beacon out for us and many other things. David Hudson tells me that they run a fleet of eight fishing boats and have very little spare time, but are both still willing to assist with community activities, particularly anything to do with boats. They are both very proud of their fleet.

So thank you Stanley - we appreciate everything you do for us. See you soon.

 

By John Curnow

 

 

 

McConaghy Melbourne Offshore Championship

(M2S as part of the MMOC)

You're Welcome!

‘Hummingbird’ is a Farr37 that hails from the Derwent Sailing Squadron in Hobart and lately they have been calling Sydney home. They are coming down to try out Bass Strait proper in the ORCV’s 2009 M2S.

'Hummingbird' in what looks to be her home waters on the Derwent...

‘Matangi’ is from the Tamar Yacht Club, who are our hosts for the annual Kidder Williams M2L. This year, Australia’s Oldest Ocean Race has $1000 up for grabs. All you have to do is break the record of 19 hours, 55 minutes and 43 seconds, as set by the Jones’ 42footer (12.93m) ‘Cadibarra’ (VIII) in 2003.

'Matangi' in Port Phillip Heads about to round the turning mark and head for home in the last M2L.

Now that’s a lovely segue into a piece we saw earlier about ‘Caledonia’, who are preparing for their first ever Silly Season race, the 2009 Kidder Williams M2L (see that article HERE). Also completing their mandatory Bass Strait foray before Christmas are ‘Biddy Hu II’, who we also saw in an earlier piece reviewing them as they prepare for their first big time event, the 2009 Heemskirk Consolidated Melbourne to Hobart Eastcoaster (which you can read HERE). We wish both crews really well, as they prepare to get out there and stick their noses in it.

'Caledonia' on the left and 'Biddy Hu II' on the right.

We heartily welcome all three of our Interstate racers (the DK46 'Dekadence' is the other one), joining all the rest of the forty strong fleet for the annual ORCV qualifying jaunt heading South. In that fleet will be the Lord Warden trophy winners (best overall in the MWS), Robert Sill’s ‘INSX’ who are getting ready for the M2HE this year (the piece on them is HERE). In the ‘45 feet and under’ department will be boats like ‘The Secretary’ and ‘Wicked’, as well as ‘Geomatic Joker’ from Mornington, ‘Chikara Outlaw’, ‘Ice Fire’ and ‘Jazz Player’ – all of whom can really put some miles down if they get set into it. Angus Fletcher’s ‘Tevake II’, the 13.7m Radford, will be a good bet too, if they can just get the breeze past about 110 degrees true.

Lord Warden Trophy winners - 'INSX'

Now, but now terribly addicted to the blue water thing after their first effort last year, is the team aboard the Elan 434, ‘Pretty Woman’ from Brighton - and then there is also the petite, but big hitting ‘Godzilla’, also lining up in December for Hobart via the East Coast.

‘Schuss’ took care of their MOB training back in the MWS (the article on that is HERE) - so they’re set to go. Actually, we've just learned that the owner has a broken knee and so 'Schuss' is not going, neither is 'Full Circle' where the owner has a broken elbow. Just what's up with these owner types then?

Breaking news has 'Chikara Outlaw' withdrawing as they have been unable to meet the ORCV's stability requirements in time. Safety first and compliance always at the ORCV... To top it off 'Addiction' is also not a starter after a port/starboard issue during racing on Port Phillip last week.

‘Magic’ will be there after their heavenly guidance in the inaugural M2G, as will be the boat that just keeps popping up in articles, ‘Under Capricorn’.

'Schuss' took care of the MOB Training in the MWS.

You might remember 'Addiction' from the dental floss days - going to need a whole lot more than floss to repair the hole in the side after the prang last week, however...

So welcome to all competitors in the 2009 Melbourne to Stanley and especially our Interstate friends – it’s great to see you. Of course the McConaghy Carbon Fibre Performance Wheel is going to be of dearly sought after, especially for boats like the ones named in this article. Perhaps some are angling to get in early and we’ll see a lot more of them over the course of the 2009/10 McConaghy Melbourne Offshore Championship. You never know, they may even lead some of their other brothers from their respective States into the mix…

 

 

By John Curnow

 

McConaghy Melbourne Offshore Championship

(M2S as part of the MMOC)

Grandpa's Axe

The old euphemism starts with “It’s had six new handles and three new heads…,” which is certainly true enough of ‘Audi Centre Melbourne’. However, unlike the rest of the euphemism - “… but it’s still the same axe!” - the boat is now anything but the same. In fact ‘Audi Centre Melbourne’ has turned out to be more like a chainsaw, as she has ripped her way through the results tables during the Southern Winter. In turn, that is bound to have made the sponsor meetings far more palatable. Many thanks to Steb Fisher for the pics you see in this article. You can see more of his work HERE.

New square top main is very visible above the kite. That's a fair bit of area...

Always designed to maximise her opportunities in the IRC malaise, the latest round of modifications have not affected her rating. These changes are the new square top main and the resultant runner winches that style of sail requires. They’ve lost one spot on the rail from it, but the added power of that main should make her even faster off the breeze, which is where she is strongest and wettest. The other day I spoke with ‘Audi Centre Melbourne’s owner, Chris Dare, after he had got back from doing the Bird Island race aboard ‘Living Doll’ and he commented, “That extra freeboard sure does make it drier!”

Winches take a crew spot on the rail and those turning blocks are not cheap...

Wet or not, we hope that the weather allows for some fun for ‘Audi Centre Melbourne’, ‘Calm’, ‘Ocean Skins’ (the Rogers 46 that was formerly ‘Shogun’) and a few others of the Div Zero gang coming out to do the Melbourne to Stanley race. A fleet of forty will get underway in the early hours of October 31. If it is indeed off the breeze, then ‘Chutzpah’ and ‘Shogun’ will have to factored into the equation. ‘Chutzpah’ did a bit of a Malcolm McLaren (three Buffalo Girls go ‘round the outside) last year and scooped the pool accordingly. If it is on the breeze then the Farr52 ‘Goldfinger’ will come into view, which should make Andy Keep happy enough. Similarly, you can never rule out the DK46 pair of ‘Dekadence’ and last year’s Offshore Champions, ‘Extasea’ from a podium position.

Hhhhhmmm. Interesting afterguard there. Ross Lloyd of North Sails Melbourne hangs on to one of the new runners and YA President Andrew Plympton and Ross then survey the main...

Big square top very identifiable and so too are the winches. Work was undertaken by her builder, Steve Campbell's Composites Constructions, while she as on the hardstand at SYC.

So the front of the fleet will be an interesting time in the 2009 M2S. Well done and we wish you all the best for it, Chris and your crew, as you prepare for a full Summer assault. As you have said yourself Chris, “When we’ve done well in the MWS, we’ve gone on to have a great Summer.” At any rate, I gather that Chris is not done with ‘Audi Centre Melbourne’. Purportedly, there is some foil work is on the cards before Christmas. Now that should be interesting indeed…and turn the boat even more into an electronic ignition chainsaw – i.e. Starts and runs hard and hassle free every time!

The M2S is of course, the first race in the 2009/10 McConaghy Melbourne Offshore Championship, with that awesome Carbon Fibre Performance Wheel up for grabs.

By John Curnow

 

Pic © Steb Fisher

 

McConaghy Melbourne Offshore Championship (MMOC)

Look, Look, Look! Pics. Pics. Final Pics...

Peachy! Just peachy - which is why everything from keelboats to Diamonds, Etchells and even all the way through to rubber ducks and ice cream sticks were out on Saturday for nice litte jaunt. Time to go for a yacht! For the keelboats though, it was all in the lead up to the 2009 Melbourne to Stanley (M2S) - the race that marks the start of the McConaghy Melbourne Offshore Championship.

Many thanks to Steb Fisher for the pics featured here. You can view more of Steb's work HERE or contact him via either of these - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and mobile 0438 160 753.

Now I am told there are some out there who have been having caption anxiety since the last race of the MWS, the well-loved M2G. So. As the late Heath Ledger's Joker said - "Here.  We.  Go."

The boat leading 'Under Capricorn' is 'Remedy', who you may remember were a feature in the article about the inaugural M2G, which you can read HERE and again in a different article HERE. This time, 'Remedy' was sailing fully crewed. 'Under Capricorn' were a regular feature during Winter and below, we have them setting up for the Bag approaching the top mark.

We have another potential Michael Stephens here on the far right. Read about the original Michael Stephens HERE. Of course, if you know who this is, then let's see what was the verdict...

Enough breeze to get a start in, sun and everything was orderly. What happened? Who's responsible for that?

Not so in the end - far too early to speak as it turns out. OK. It is showtime...

Here comes the gatecrasher...

No real room there... The Port start is awesome when it works and you get a hole, but as you can see from the sequence below 'Smooth Criminal' got rolled for their effort by the S8640, who had pace on...

Pink Floyd moment. Blue Diamond and that is just the water talking... Don't know who you are, but you know the deal on that by now...

Go MARVIN!!!!! Yeeee Ha or what. Didn't know Martians were into jewels though... Anyway. Whatever...

"I am Bowman. I wear Larracas harness and can conquer anything. Just ask me.

I am complete warrior class 'Shogun' and wield a 2m black Katana."

And because we are in to equality and are truly PC here at the ORCV - this is the Sisters version.

This is Sim - Simone Hoey from 'Horizon Sprint' and yes Lisa (Hammond), she does look like a statue...

This reminded me about herding cats. Theoretically it is possible, but in practice it proves to be a bit a lot more difficult...

Surprising how few people get to see this image, which we take pretty much for granted...

Sm178 - you get the Gold Star award for the PFDs

Go Scotch!

"Prodder time" and I now have MC Hammer going off in my head about "You can't touch this!" Still. It is not a bad riff of Rick James' that he "sampled". So superfreakin here in the Div Zero start had to be 'Rush' with clear air and what looks to be the most boat speed as the gun went. Nice. 'Goldie' looked to not have the prodder in enough fresh wind and fell out the back accordingly.

No wonder I chose this image as the hero pic for the story - just peachy! It's enough to make you want to take up sailing. 'Calm' leads 'CougarII' and 'Scarlet Runner', all with the biggest Bags they own out on display.

Yep. I've got to take this sport up. Looks too good. Hey - Captain Raw - it's brochure weather!!!

Adam 'Hugo' Manders flies the kite aboard 'Audi Centre Melbourne'.

 

We can see you Nick McGuigan. Can you see us? We're thanking you for all your good work over the year.

Above is 'Surprise' - we got you Parts One, Two, Three, which could either be Stevie Wright or Ian Durie and the Blockheads...

We haven't seen these guys before. Perhaps 'Avanti' will get set to stick their nose out in it and be part of the next Melbourne Latitude Series, which you can see the NOR for HERE. (Editor: finally a French boat without a French name - just Italian...)

This is H1010. The commodore of HBYC, who is a daily reader of the site, should be able to tell me who it is....

This is a 'Reckless' fashion statement! Knee pads are good though...

This could be a reckless glance if it went on for too long

With his colouring, this could be very reckless if he has not swum in a pond of sunscreen before going out...

No. No. Look forward - please. This could be reckless. One word - Chinese.

Would only be reckless if they ran over the brace, but as you can see from the right, that did not happen...

You've just gotta love it when it looks good and the sun is in the right spot. 'First Musketeer' here.

'Calm' out in front of 'Scarlet Runner' after rounding (and I only have a lo-res image, so cannot make out the sail number of the third boat. Reckon it is 'Goldfinger' though with the long wand and dark hull) in the morning Div Zero race. Anyway, 'Scarlet Runner' is just back from a good hit out up North, where the weather was a lot like this, so must have brought it back with them. Nice one team. Yeah I know, by Sunday afternoon it was all forgotten as yet another tempest blew in...

This is Sam 'Garden Girl' Chandler (she's very proud to be a Botanist and her official title is Environmental Project Manager for Fulton Hogan - thanks for letting us know Sam), fixing the second tack line most likely...

Now Sam does not weigh much at all, but there is a very good reason why she can spend so much time out on SR's prodder. 'Scarlett Runner' was built tough, as you can see from the construction pic from inside Steve Campbell's Composites Constructions facility. (Hope the shoulder is coming along well Steve...)

'Veloce' have repaired the bowsprit since Geelong, as you can see in these three pics and it all looks calm on Audi Centre Brighton, I mean 'Calm'. Why head North when you've got this?

Looking for all the world like the TP52 Worlds that were going on in the Balearics at the same time (yeah, yeah, I know - what about the prodders, but work with me here - next Gen of TPs has prodders anyway)... Alas it was just Port Phillip, with 'CougarII' in the foreground and 'Calm' on the right.

So there you have it. Thank you Steb. Good stuff as always. I hope plenty of souls view more of your work on your website HERE or contact you via either of these - This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. and mobile 0438 160 753.

 

 

By John Curnow