2013 Melbourne to Osaka (from 17/3/13)

FREE measurement and AMS2 certificate.

The Australian Measurement System has just been upgraded to AMS2. As part of the launch of the updated and ever-growing measurement system, the AMS Technical Committee is offering free AMS2 certificates for all Interstate and Overseas vessels coming to Melbourne to race in the 2013 Melbourne to Osaka, Double Handed, 5500nm classic. All measuring is included and the organising committee is rapidly developing a plan for weighing, so you do not have to worry about that cost, either. This fantastic offer also extends to being able to do any IRC or ORCi measuring or re-measuring you may need, but you will be responsible for paying any fees due to those respective governing bodies for new certificates.

As it is most likely that the major trophy for the Melbourne to Osaka race will be in the AMS2 category, this significant offering is going to be able to ensure all competing vessels will be in the most popular category and at no direct cost to themselves. "When the ORCV asked us to be the official measurer for the event, Lowa Paszko and I agreed without hesitation. We are both AMS and IRC measurers and I also do ORCi inclinations for proof of stability", said Peter Coleman.

In certain parts of Australia, AMS needs no introduction. With such a large interstate and overseas contingent already interested in the 5500nm classic, a little information about the system, its origins and methodology is certainly warranted. In 1997, when the original Australian Measurement System was created, most racing keelboats were being designed to the IMS rule, which was rapidly declining throughout the world and particularly in Australia.

The need for a single figure time correction rating became paramount, in order to maintain racing on a measurement system and to overcome the problems experienced with the complex IMS rule. It was in this environment that AMS was established. Over the years since then, the fleet has changed dramatically and most designs are now optimised to a single figure time correction rating system. Designers have experimented with new designs and have found ways to optimise the designs to fit these systems. This has placed older or less optimised designs at a disadvantage. After 15 years it is necessary to update the AMS system in order to keep pace with the changes in designs and to meet the objectives of the system, namely to provide a fair rating for all boats in the fleet irrespective of their age or design. This update is called AMS2.

So AMS2 is the result of changes in the mathematics used in the AMS database over the last 18 months. These alterations and updates better reflect the type and design of the boats in the current fleet using the AMS ratings. An additional measurement (M) for new certificates has been added to measure the distance from the top of the boom to the base of the turning block at the top of the mast and the requirement to measure the headsail upper width (HUW) has been removed.

This system update has not changed the rating algorithm. However many of the computer generated precursors that are used to rate the many measurements used in the system, including hull, keel, rigging and the sail areas of the largest sails of each type have changed, as these are obviously determined by the measurement characteristics of the fleet.

These changes have resulted in some alteration to nearly all of the ratings of the 798 boats in the database. AMS has never used hull or rig factors and all ratings are based on the measurements taken by the Measurer. However, the system determines how to use these measurements to best obtain the fairest overall balance of ratings for the whole fleet and thereby minimises the disadvantage to any individual design.

Boats with a current certificate, should in general, find the changes to be more consistent with the composition of the current fleet and fairer for all. The rating for every boat has been analysed against its measurement data and in some cases against published velocity prediction program (VPP) information, in order to confirm that the rating is consistent with the data. As a general rule, every well-campaigned boat should have the opportunity to win and conversely, there is no point in winning, if the rating does not adequately reflect the performance of the boat.

Moving forward, it is planned to update the system on a four year cycle in future and this will be coordinated with the changes to the racing rules and safety regulations. Ratings will not change between these updates unless an error is discovered in the measured data or in the processing of the information.

JAMHU2 racing on Melbourne's Port Phillip. Pic courtesy of and © to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

Whilst talking about AMS and the Melbourne to Osaka race, Just A Minor Hick Up2 was custom built for it and has also been in the 1885nm Melbourne to Vanuatu race, as well as countless Bass Strait forays and many a local race on Melbourne's Port Phillip. She is presently for sale and you can read all about her significant credentials, HERE.

If you're one of the 44 EOIs already held for the 2013 Melbourne to Osaka race, or perhaps just one of the many silent parties, then this wonderful offer from the AMS Technical Team is simply fantastic news. You will be racing in another division, completely free of charge, which is really handy if you're on a budget.

Many thanks to AMS Board for their gracious and generous offer.

Go HERE to download the 2013 M2O Preliminary NoR

Go HERE to register your interest in this sensational race.

Go HERE to see who has already expressed their desire to participate.

Follow it all here and via the ORCV Facebook page, so make sure you go and "Like" the page, now. 149 Souls already have and thank you to all of them.

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

Melbourne to Osaka (and Marketplace)

Ready to roll, too.

Following on from Ready to Roll (Pt.I) and Chikara4Sale, where we looked at some of the vessels around to do the 2013 Melbourne to Osaka race in, we find that there is a very well credentialled vessel available for you, that currently lives in Melbourne. If you're on a bit of a budget, then this good, tough boat may have your name written all over it, just like it has its own!!!

Turbo, off Cheviot Beach, just outside Port Phillip Heads, at the start of the 2010 M2V

Turbo, is an Adams 11.9, which has already been to Osaka in 2003, was the overall winner of the 1885nm 2010 Melbourne to Vanuatu race and won Line Honours in the 2008 iteration of Australia's oldest ocean race, that dash across The Paddock, more commonly known as Melbourne to Launceston. Yes indeedy, that's a great pedigree for this nugget of a vessel. Being an Adams, you know she will get along once the sheets have been eased or the Bag's up. Turbo even has a newish Graham Radford keel installed.

To get a look, talk the talk or secure this vessel, email or call her owner, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. (0415 522 255).

Bill Feore, seen here with ORCV Commodore, Doald Fraser, collecting the prize for third in AMS Div2 at the 2010 Boxing Day Dash. Earlier on in the same year, Turbo won both PHS and IRC in the 2010 M2V.

Preliminary Notice of Race for the 2013 M2O is HERE.

Go HERE to register your interest in this sensational race.

Go HERE to see who has already expressed their desire to participate.

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

2013 Melbourne to Osaka (from 17/3/13)

Preliminary Notice Of Race.

The Committees of the Sandringham Yacht Club, Osaka Hokko Yacht Club and ORCV are very pleased to provide the Preliminary Notice of Race for the 2013 Melbourne to Osaka event.

The fleet prepares for departure from Melbourne. Pic courtesy of and © to Teri Dodds.

In addition to a slightly earlier start time window, the other main element is that the race will now be a Category One event. There is also an earlybird discount, which is sure to provide extra inducement for the keen members of the 34 EOIs already held, in addition to the numerous parties who have kept their excitement and interest in this wonderful 5500nm marathon, just a little more subdued.

Go HERE to download the 2013 M2O Preliminary NoR

Go HERE to register your interest in this sensational race.

Go HERE to see who has already expressed their desire to participate.

Great friends of the ORCV, David James and Rosie Colahan aboard their Ingénue, seen here when they crossed over the finish line.
Yep. You'd be justifiably happy at the end of 5500nm. Pic © Tak Yamazaki.

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

2013 Melbourne to Osaka

Prior preparation prevents...

Yes, well, anyway, practice makes perfect.

So as the burgeoning EOIs for the 2013 Melbourne to Osaka no doubt prepare for their performances, here's a great lead up event for the crews already established and with a vessel. In February 2012, The Short Handed Sailing Association of New Zealand is running the second Around NZ Two Handed Race. The last one was 21 years ago and there are eight entries for this one already, BTW.

SSANZ

Steve Newcombe from the SSANZ said to us, "The inaugural RNZ race was in 1990 with a fleet of six. Next year’s race, is eagerly anticipated and follows on from the hotly contested 2011 Round North Island Two Handed Yacht Race (RNI), which has been held every three years since 1976."

Start of the 2011 Round North Island race.

"The course begins with a quick sprint North from Auckland to Mangonui, where the fleet will anchor in picturesque Doubtless Bay, Northland. The stopover is perfectly timed to iron out any bugs and enjoy the laid back Northern hospitality and some sun. Fast forward 24 hours and Leg 2 will see the fleet leave for Stewart Island, with the bulk of the fleet not expected inside a week. Some of the challenges waiting to test the sailors endurance on this leg, include sailing the entire length of the West coast (it’s not called the wild West coast for nothing) and the three capes at the tip of the North Island, where the Tasman and Pacific converge", Steve added.

"Over 900 miles later, Puyseger Point, on the Southwest tip of the South Island, guards the entrance to Foveaux Strait. Puyseger Point is notorious for its gale-producing ways on more than 300 days per year. Half Moon Bay at Oban, the main town on Stewart Island, will host the competitors for up to four days, with the South Pacific Hotel being the focal point."

Akatea (not the Cookson 40 in Geelong) wins the 2011 RNI race. Image © luvmyboat.com

"Leg Three is over 600 miles and finishes at Napier, in the sunny Hawkes Bay. It’s a regular RNI port and the locals really know how to make a sailor feel welcome, with wine tours, golf and rum. Two days later we head for home. The final leg takes three to four days to sail, with the entire race taking three weeks to a month in total”, Steve finished with.

So it seems to me that this would be great preparation prior to your M2O performance... (...we have two Kiwis in the M2O fleet, just so you know)

Go HERE to download the NoR and even register your interest in this race.

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.