ORCV Melbourne to Stanley (M2S)
The ayes have it.
Gusto, the race winner, arrived into Stanley on the top of Tasmania with virtually no breeze, but plenty of rain. That was at 0100hrs and then Goldfinger showed up at 0730hrs, bringing more breeze with her, around 10-15knots from the South West. Regrettably for the very soaked crew, she also brought along a significant rain band, which covers the whole of the North West corner of this magnificent isle.
Gusto sits on the outer finger with the Nut barely visible behind her due to the fog and mist.
The crews that have finished may now have their morale above water, but for the eight boats still racing, it has been a very wet and oh so dark night. Their perseverance is to be commended and sees them fighting amongst a smaller pool for the handicap trophies. Presently, the first two finishers will get the performance handicap prize and the coveted IRC trophy for Gusto and Goldfinger, respectively. As you will have noticed with such a small number still racing, there has been a huge list of retirements from the race and it would seem there is a small party now going on in Queenscliff, which is just inside Port Phillip Heads. 22 vessels and their crews decided that no wind, a lot of rain and ever expanding ETAs were more than enough to get the vote to turn back. Indeed it must have been easier and indeed quicker, to see the hands go up in the affirmative, than it would be to do so in the Australian Parliament currently. The ayes really would have it.
There is a party also going on in the shed on the quay at Stanley and despite small numbers of crew arriving, the locals have not let that or the rain dampen their spirits, with lots of dancing going on. The efforts of the Stanley and Smithton residents to assist with food and beverage, along with mooring of vessels and placing of finishing beacons, is really wonderful.
A rare gap when the rain went down to only spitting... and with all that, we're done, other than to say that Some crews' morale is underwater and there are now Just the two above it!!!
The latest standings and handicap ratings are up and current - see HERE.
The tracker is live - see HERE.
Will try!
© John Curnow, ORCV Media
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