Melbourne to Port Fairy (M2PF)

1115!

Well done to all boats who persevered and completed the 2011 Melbourne to Port Fairy race. Not only did you dig deep into your fortitude to weather out the weather in a marvellous Bass Strait washing machine event, you dug deep into your pockets and raised $1115 for the annual Royal Children's Hospital Good Friday Appeal. Even The Secretary, who were racing from the ORCV control van, contributed to this cause, which has been going on as apart of the race for well over 25 years.

The dear old van sure gets around. Here it is at the old Stanley Station.

The fleet was somewhat decimated and got down to just the ten left completing the course. From the van, Robyn tells us that, "The shark boats have come into the Moyne River, as it’s too rough out there for them. There are 4 to 6m seas and it is NASTY. However, it’s not raining and we notice that the wind has eased here (in the backyard of the club on the river, in the van, with the doors closed). Then again, it was rather nice in the pub in front of the open fire earlier, too. I think we got the best gig this weekend!"

Lynda Brayton was keeping Robyn and George company in the van. She had this to say of her experience, "Whilst the remaining boats battle the elements, the Race Directors are enjoying the view across the Moyne River, where there isn’t even a ripple on the water. A seal is frolicking around in the river and the shark boat fisherman are no doubt enjoying their night off in the warmth. They decided it was too rough for them to venture out! Hope there isn’t going to a shortage of flake in Port Fairy!"

 "From the current location of the ORCV van, the queue at the fish and chip shop, which is situated directly across the river, is getting longer by the moment. I bet if they could do a chopper drop off to the yachts racing, it would be very welcome, but then again, maybe not. Just handed to them once they dock might be better. The Race Directors are currently bunkering down for a nanna nap and then there's the big decision of what to have for dinner, before getting to work on preparing for the finishing boats", Lynda tells us, as a way of explaining the often arduous task of waiting...

In the end, just ten vessels completed the racing course. Well done to you all. Ben O'Brien got the job of driving eXtasea when the boss had to step off and he rewarded his owner with a Line Honours win and gold for the coveted IRC, along with AMS and PHC!!! What an emphatic statement for our friends from Geelong. Bandit from Sandy had a great race too. Ashley Trebilcock's Beneteau First 40 was second home and took silver in all three handicap classes, as well. Chikara Outlaw was third home and got third in PHC for their efforts as well. ORCV Commodore, Don Fraser, got third in IRC and AMS with the other Beneteau First 40, Dry White.

All reports presently, indicate happy crews, with some well on the way to getting back to the Heads. Cannot wait to hear from those with the SeaBiscuit bands. As we say, well done to all. When The Paddock gets like that, it's not a pretty sight. Amazing how Scotty can never hear you on the communicator, too. How is that?????????????

So you want to know who went off with the fairies. Go HERE for the full results.

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

	This is one hell of a tourist destination! Bring the shore crew - they'll love you for it and you'll get leave passes  whenever you want from then on.  No. Really. Promise.

Melbourne to Port Fairy (M2PF)

No need for catering!

From aboard Dry White, we have just learned that they have an ETA of 0121hrs, at this time. They are past Cape Otway with the wind direction at 250 degrees, strength 22-28Kn True and 4-6 metre seas! There is a duel between Dry White and Bandit underway right now. When they passed Otway, it was like a race restart for the two boats, even though Dry White went a fair way South and Bandit stayed inshore. Apparently there is plenty of food on board as no one is feeling hungry!

 We are working a small issue with the Tracker presently, so ETA's and handicaps will be available once the reset has occurred. 

Hope those with the SeaBiscuit bands are fairing well. Cannot wait to find out.

So you know you want to go off with the fairies. Go HERE for the Tracker.

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

	This is one hell of a tourist destination! Bring the shore crew - they'll love you for it and you'll get leave passes  whenever you want from then on.  No. Really. Promise.

Melbourne to Port Fairy (M2PF)

There was always going to be rain.

Robyn Brooke, that oh so famous half of The Secretary Double Handed team, is the assistant Race Director for Port Fairy. The other half of the team, Immediate Past Commordore, George Shaw, is the Race Director. Robyn has posted this information for us. "The race was delayed 30 mins and started at 0400hrs. Conditions, from Dry White and as at 1200hrs were wind on the nose; 15-20knots from WSW with 2 metre seas. They are being pushed further South than they would like and are dropping off the occasional wave."

"Conditions are sunny after some early morning drizzle but the wind is chilly. Pretty Woman decided not to start the race", Robyn said, "so we have the fleet heading for Cape Otway. 13 are still racing now. Independent Endeavour have retired with crew failure listed as the problem. They are due back at Port Phillip Heads at 2000hrs,  this evening."

Ed: Rain is a feature of the area. After all, Cape Otway is a rainforrest....

Cape Otway's Lighthouse - what they are all aiming to be near, but looks like they'll be well out to sea...

Reports from race leader, eXtasea, show conditions to be a bit tougher. "Since the last email, we've been averaging about 28-32 True Wind Speed with the puffs going to more and a pretty nasty chop over swell, too.... Having said that and aside from the occasional squall, it's really quite lovely sailing.... We've had a wonderful view of the cloud capped coast, which would be a nice place to be with your morning coffee and croissant! The ubiquitous dolphin family escort and the usual range of blue and not so blue humour have been the entertainment. Just keeping an eye on the navigation now, as we approach Cape Otway. Lets pray for a nice little right hander as we turn the corner", said Stu Addison from onboard. i can't help thinking they may be asking for a bit too much right now, but we'll see what Huey, the God of Wind, delivers in the next little while.

So you know you want to go off with the fairies. Go HERE for the Tracker.

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

	This is one hell of a tourist destination! Bring the shore crew - they'll love you for it and you'll get leave passes  whenever you want from then on.  No. Really. Promise.

Melbourne to Port Fairy (M2PF)

Morning In eXtasea.

eXtasea is leading the 2011 Melbourne to Port Fairy Race. Her owner, ORCV Committee Member, Paul Buchholz is not onboard, but with ORCV Commodore, Don Fraser, with Vice Commodore, Simon Dryden and Committee Member, Jeremy Walton part of the crew on Dry White, who are very much near the front of the fleet, there's plenty of Brass around to keep it all honest. Dry White's Sistership, Bandit, is also right in there.

From onboard eXtasea, Stu Addison has kindly passed on this information. "We are currently about 18 miles north of Apollo Bay, TWD 277, BSP 7.5 in 13knots and a short slightly ugly chop. We can see Outlaw off the stern, which is probably a little closer than we'd like, but hey, she's a quick boat, full to the gunwale with good sailors! Maybe we can strectch a bit more through the day."

Extasea near Point Lonsdale - pic © to and courtesy of Teri Dodds.

"Paul, our esteemed leader, had to pull out at the last minute which is a bit of a bummer, as Eccy is loving these conditions and I'm sure he would too! This left me in a somewhat mad panic when I arrived in Geelong last night to find out I was going to be the Naviguesser. I attempted to trade my wet weather gear for slippers, a roll neck jumper and a pipe. Can I tell you that I almost got arrested asking a nice police officer where I could get a decent pipe in Geelong on a thusday night! Luckily Buccy (Paul) was able to brief me on the boat, the nav setup and where the port is stowed in the nav desk before we headed off", Stu commented.

"As we get closer to Cape Otway, we expect to be headed a little, so currently deciding whether to sail into the shift or step-up to the coast for maximum benefit. Will look at the gribs when I finish this note and we'll get a gameplan going."

"Looking forward to dusk off the 12 apostles all going to plan and we've got the Hot Cross Buns in the oven." Ed. Excellent work lad.

So you know you want to go off with the fairies.  This year's race got underway April 22nd at 0330 from dear old Draper's Reef. Go HERE for the Tracker.

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

	This is one hell of a tourist destination! Bring the shore crew - they'll love you for it and you'll get leave passes  whenever you want from then on.  No. Really. Promise.