Looking At The Long Range Forecast We Might Need To Delay The Band!

The weather for this weekend's King Island Race is looking very interesting. The long range outlook is for light winds and smooth seas. The Predictwind model for a Beneteau First 40 has the journey taking 25 to 32 hours. As the race is over  4 days away a lot can happen between now and then of course but maybe start to think about light wind race strategies. Additionally, since the weather models are not in agreement the reliability of the forecast is low. 

2016 King Island Race

Join us for our first ORCV Ocean Race in 2016 - the famous Melbourne to King Island Race.

To be conducted over the Labour Day long weekend in March (March 11-12), this Category 2 race will see the fleet head off from Queenscliff, out through the heads and across Bass Strait to the finish at Grassy Harbour, King Island, Tasmania.

While the 114 nautical mile hit out across the Paddock is one of the shorter ORCV ocean races, it’s not without challenges, with wind and tidal influences keeping everyone on their toes until the very end. After a record breaking win by Primitive Cool in 2014, in just 9 hours, 50 minutes & 21 seconds, the pace has well and truly been set.

The ORCV has got dispensation from Yachting Victoria to allow yachts to compete in the King Island race, substituting HF with a satellite phone. So all you sailors out there without a HF let us know if you are interested in competing as we have many volunteers who will help you get to Category 2. We should be able to arrange that you can hire or borrow some of the more expensive items that you need to reach Cat 2. So get in touch with us via email, Facebook or call the office and we will get all sorted.

For all the boats and crews that completed the very successful ORCV Beyond the Bay programs in 2014 and 2015, the King Island race presents a fantastic opportunity to put those new found ocean skills into practice. As for the more seasoned ocean going boats and crews who know this race well, the ORCV looks forward to welcoming you all back for the legendary hospitality of the King Island Boat Club. This race has it all - socialising, having fun, competition and great sailing. And, don’t even kid yourself that you’ll stop at one steak sandwich, oh, and did we mention the take home cheese bags from the King Island dairy and the famous King Island beef packs? You know you want to..

Don't forget King Island sailors - King Island no has two world famous golf courses, so you might want to stay after the race for a game!

Melbourne to King Island Notice of Race has now been published. Entries will be open soon - watch this space!

The Notice of Race is available here.

Scarlet Runner skippered by Robert Date crossed the line at 14:17:01 to take Line Honours in the 2015 Melbourne to King Island yacht race.

With 20 – 25 knot westerlies staying in since the start at 4am they have enjoyed excellent conditions and only missed the race record by approximately 30 minutes.

Provisionally they are also likely to take out both measurement handicap divisions, AMS and IRC.  The performance handicap division is being hotly contested by Geomatic Allegro, Spirit of Downunder with Yoko coming into contention.

Geomatic Allegro is expected after four o’clock followed by eXtasea and Spirit of Downunder.

After a clean 4am start from Queenscliff the 14 strong Melbourne to King Island Fleet are carving up Bass Strait in the 20 – 25 knot westerlies.  As predicted the fleet has a beam reach to the finish line making for ideal sailing conditions. 

Scarlet Runner skippered by Robert Date is on target for a Race record finish and for a win in the major handicap divisions.  The RP 52 is a well sailed and confident machine and they are doing the job  in today’s conditions.   King Island does have some tricky currents, depending on the tidal flows so without care the record could be won or lost in the last run to the line.

The performance handicap prize is being hotly contested by Ian Lewis’s Blue Chip and Laurie Ford’s Spirit of Downunder.

All crews will be enjoying the ideal conditions pushing their boats for top speeds.

Race Management is hoping to see Scarlet Runner on the finish line before 2pm.