ORCV Melbourne to Apollo Bay (M2AB)

Smoking Jackets!

Those poor, much maligned Naviguessers. Not only are they not as publicly revered as the pointy end specialists, but they're the source of continual ridicule and even when they do well, you always seem to remind them of the last time they didn't! Poor, warm sods...

The advent of the tablet, let alone the iPhone, means they no longer get to sit down below and dream up fantastical ways to demolish races, break records or how to catch the other watch's run total, when they left you with no breeze and a slurry of sails on deck and below, all the while forgetting that it is now dark.

So. What to do?

Well recently, He of the Count Down Timer, ORCV Committee Member, Jeremy Walton, was talking to our good friend Paul Schulz from Gill Australia. They were reviewing just how tricky the navigation in the Apollo Bay race can be. Inshore or out?  And just where will the wind and currents be, so as to put you in the right place to do well in the race. As a result of that discussion, Gill Australia have provided an OS1 Offshore Jacket (pictured below), as a prize for the navigator on the winning Performance Handicap yacht.

This great jacket valued at RRP of $649 has some great features: • 5 Dot waterproof and breathable 3 layer fabric • Ocean height collar with high wrap around face guard. Fold down face flap positioned over mouth • Active-fit rollaway hood with 2-way volume adjustment and fleece lined channel for comfort • Double front storm flap • Adjustable cuffs with PU inner seals for watertight comfort • Gridded thermal inner collar and chin guard • Adjustable shock cord hem with adjusters that tuck up into the seam • Two sets of chest hand warmer pockets  • Cargo pockets for storing bulky objects • Internal chest pocket protected by a water resistant zipper • 360 degree reflective piping • SOLAS approved, prismatic reflectors on chest, shoulders cuffs and hood

When he was questioned, Paul assured Jeremy that whilst the cargo pockets were not originally designed for the pipe such as those that they of the smoking jackets and slippers seem to favour, he was sure that they would be big enough to do the job. If you'd like to review the full range of Gill sailing products, then go HERE.

So there it is all 25 Naviguessers going to Apollo Bay! It's a completely level playing field. If you have not already got the ORCV Yearbook out and started looking at the currents and matching that with the weather, then it is definitely time to do so. Your choice of possible course will determine wether you're to be in the running to win this magnificent Offshore Jacket from Gill - or not! Doh, doh, doh, doh...

Now that's some way to finish the season out, huh?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

PS. Tony Lovric (Escapade) is certainly NOT eligible to win this prize, at all - he did too well at Xmas - OK.

BTW - Jeremy also provided the critical days to go numbers as at 07/05/2011: -

• Melb to Apollo Bay - 7 days to go
• Melb to Hobart - 234 days to go
• Melb to Osaka - 699 days to go (PLEASE PAY ATTENTION ALL 30 EOIs!)
• Melb to Vanuatu - 1156 days to go!

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

Below is Tony Bull's shot from  onboard eXtasea during the  2010 event.
	Not a place to go into  in an Easterly or if you  draw too much. Plenty of souls around to ask  about that and there's also  the bombora out the front. Supertramp above looks bad,  but had storm boards in etc. Port was closed thereafter,  though... Don't even attempt to go in  with an Easterly blowing,  however...