Winter Series Overall winner (Lord Warden’s Trophy) 2016 awarded to Hugh Ellis & Gary Caulfield joint skippers and owners of Avalanche.

The ORCV was pleased to announce High Ellis and Gary Caulfield as winners of the 2016 Winter Series. 

As can be seen from the results table shown below, Hugh and Gary on Avalanche clearly had the lowest series score, in both IRC and AMS across both divisions 1 and 2.  Well done to The Bookmaker for second place and Schuss for third place on a countback.

Avalanche is a recently built hybrid design with a Hick designed & built hull with an existing Farr 40 deck & rig.  It is great to see them getting good results with it. 

Having completed the 2015 Sydney to Hobart, we are hoping to see Avalanche competing in some of our upcoming ORCV off shore races.

Well done from all of us at the ORCV.

Ocean Racer of the Year (The White Family Shenandoah Perpetual Trophy) 2016 awarded to Laurie Ford, skipper and owner of Spirit of Downunder.

The ORCV was pleased to announce Laurie Ford as winner of the 2016 Ocean Racer of the Year.  Laurie was nominated for the award by his crew and was unanimously endorsed by the judges as a fitting and deserving winner of the prestigious award.  Laurie demonstrates values the ORCV promote and admire including; diligence as a skipper, a focus on safety, a willingness to train/mentor people new to the sport, a willingness to change and improve, a fierce and consistent competitor, a sense of humour and most importantly an admired and respected person.  His crew insisted that Laurie’s on board cooking skills not be held against him, something the judges were willing to overlook.

Laurie will be once again heading to Hobart this summer in his well known yacht “Spirit of Downunder” and has already entered the 2018 Melbourne to Osaka with his son Tim. 

We wish Laurie many more years of racing and congratulate him and his family for their support over the years.

Offshore Champion (The Perry Fletcher Clipper Perpetual Trophy) 2016 awarded to Daniel Edwards, skipper and owner of White Noise.

The ORCV was pleased to announce Daniel Edwards as the winner of the 2016 Offshore Championship. 

As can be seen from the results table shown below, Daniel and his crew on White Noise led all three divisions and was a clear overall winner.  Well done to One for the road, Extasea, Blue Chip and Yoko for also getting a podium position. 

Note that “Race 2” is Melbourne to Hobart, “Race 3” is Melbourne to Devonport, you obviously cant do both so everyone drops the one they didn’t do (“C” = did not compete).  If you are curious, “Race 1” is Melbourne to Stanley, “Race 4” Melbourne to King Island, “Race 5” Melbourne to Port Fairy, “Race 6 Melbourne to Apollo Bay.

Daniel is relatively new to offshore racing, having completed the 2104 Beyond the Bay program.  The program, along with the training and mentoring obviously paid off, as White Noise has stepped up onto the podium of many races since.  Daniel decided to head to warmer climates this year, taking White Noise to compete in the Brisbane to Keppel, Airley Race week, Hamilton Island race week and Magnetic Island race week. With many deliveries the off shore experience has helped him live a dream.

Daniel will be heading to Devonport this summer in his yacht “White Noise”, hopefully we will see him compete in the West coaster the following year. 

We look forward to seeing Daniel and the White Noise crew continuing in their success in the season ahead, well done from all of us at the ORCV.

Call for Nominations for 2016 Ocean Racer of the Year.

The Trophy Presentation night is not far away and again the ORCV call for nominations for the Prestigious Ocean Racer of the Year Trophy.

Submissions close by Sunday 25th September 2016. If you know of a candidate worthy of nomination then click    HERE for more information.