Weight to leeward on the Great Ocean Road Sail

Another ORCV Apollo Bay race has been run and won, with Alien (R880) claiming victory as overall race winner. The fleet of 41 enjoyed a cool but sunny day on their run to Apollo Bay, with a breeze that turned fickle in the closing stages of the race. Whilst many yachts enjoyed a smooth run to Cape Patton, only a few managed to escape the wind shadow of the Otways, and make it to Apollo Bay before dark.

Apollo Bay this way 52nm Photo Aaron Cole copy

Fleet start heading to Apollo Bay on the Great Ocean Road Sail. Photo Aaron Cole

Skipper of the winning boat, Justin Brenan, stated that the key to the race was being on the right part of the course, and working the sail configuration tirelessly. “A lot of boats followed the rhumb line and ended up in a dead patch, and several other boats went too far offshore and ended up paying a distance penalty. We aimed for the middle, and peeled between the asymmetric kite, code 0 and jib constantly, to keep the boat going at its best.”

Alien battling it out Photo Geoff Onions

Goggo managed to claim line honours at 5:40pm, just beating Extasea and Cadibarra 8; with the following few hours seeing yachts jostling to make it around Mark AB and across the finishing line. With the fleet being split by those who followed the wind predictions and opted for the rhumb line drag race, and those who ventured further out and turned for Apollo Bay much later; the race was decided in the final 10 miles, when it all came down to who could find the breeze. Congratulations to all competitors who took part in this year’s race; full results can be found here: https://www.orcv.org.au/results/2020-21/2021M2AB/series.htm?ty=47448

Goggo crew Photoo Bill copy

Crew of Goggo on the water. Photo Bill Newman

AMS

1st ? Alien R880 2nd ? How Bizarre S13 3rd ? Arcadia S17

ORCc
1st ?Patriot SM133 2nd ? Vagabond S477 3rd ? RMS Cole Walker SM2024

IRC
1st ?How Bizarre S13 2nd ? Arcadia S17 3rd ?Patriot SM133

DH
1st ?Saltair R410 2nd ?Maverick SM3600 3rd ?RMS Cole - Walker SM2024

PHS
1st ?Goggo G7007 2nd ? ALIEN R880 3rd ?Vagabond S477

Line Honours ?Goggo G7007

Under Spinnakers the Fleet Set Sail photo Pavel Cherepanov Under Spinnaker the fleet set sail. Photo Pavel Cherepanov

Race Update for the 2021 ORCV Apollo Bay Race

Race Results

The results are in for the 2021 (68th) ORCV Melbourne to Apollo Bay race. with Alien overall winner (based on AMS). Congratulations also to the following skippers and crew:

AMS

1st ? Alien R880 2nd ? How Bizarre S13 3rd ? Arcadia S17

ORCc

1st ?Patriot SM133 2nd ? Vagabond S477 3rd ? RMS Cole Walker SM2024

IRC

1st ?How Bizarre S13 2nd ? Arcadia S17 3rd ?Patriot SM133

1st ?Saltair R410 2nd ?Maverick SM3600 3rd ?RMS Cole - Walker SM2024

PHS

1st ?Goggo G7007 2nd ? ALIEN R880 3rd ?Vagabond S477

Line Honours ?Goggo G7007

Congratulations to Goggo taking line honours less than 45seconds ahead of Extasea and 2 minutes ahead of Cadibarra 8.

For full results click here https://www.orcv.org.au/results/2020-21/2021M2AB/series.htm?ty=47448

Alien with yellow sail at start Photo ORCV Media

Alien Crew at the Great Ocean Road Brewhouse Photo Neville Rose

4.20pm Update

The race directors are setup at the finish and have the fleet in sight. It's going to be a close for line honours between Cadibarra 8 and Extasea at this point with Vagabond and Patriot not far behind. The fleet has now largely split into 3 groups, with Arcadia, Alien, Faster Forward, Skullduggery, Carerra S, Vertigo and RMS Cole Walker making up this second group and now finding some 5 knots of boat speed again. The balance of the fleet off Kennett River has hit a windless area and seem to be now averaging under 3 knots. It's got slow for some with Dream, Next Step and True Colours retiring, all onboard safe.

2pm Update

The conditions are holding (from largely the North) although the wind has dropped a little. Cadibarra 8 is leading with Extasea now back in the first pack after. A little further out to sea we see RMS Cole Walker, Vagabond and Soiree Bleu having a great run. The winds look they are going to hold now with most of the fleet likely to finish by late afternoon. There's not a lot in it with most of the fleet insight of each other all flying light air sails such as Assy's, Code 0, kites or similar. As they approach Cape Patton and winds lighter, the fleet have largely started to come together. Pop over to our facebook page to view more photos

Arcadia on the coastline Photo Karen Young

Arcadia enjoying the Great Ocean Road Sail Photo Karen Young

11.30 am Incoming Sail Captain Jeremy Walton update

With wind just aft of the beam and right on prediction, the seas and boat is relatively flat. Code O is up and all are making good progress to Apollo Bay with rough prediction of a mid to late afternoon finish.

10.30am On Water Report from Karen Young on Faster Forward

Definitely light wind sailing.

8.20am Race Director (Start) Update

The 68th ORCV Melbourne to Apollo Bay race is off after a delayed start of 10 mins. It's a chilly morning in 10-12 knots of breeze from the north. 40 boats with some 280 crew onboard are about to commence what will be a glorious days sailing. We say farewell to White Noise who has had fuel issues and are safely tucked up at BYS.

Cadibarra 8 lead the fleet out through the heads with Dream, Patriot, Carrera S, Extasea and White Spirit close behind.

Out through the heads Photo Aaron Cole

Prior to the Start - Jeremy Walton incoming ORCV Sail Captain.

Final Reminders – 68th Apollo Bay Race

Before you head off, just some final reminders, please.

Photos - Let us be part of your adventure by sharing your images with us. Please take crew photos, scenery, on water action shots either on your way to the start or if conditions allow during the race. You can share them with us via email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via this races Whatsapp group here https://chat.whatsapp.com/ERofdFUGwl9CR8KPaUvVnW

Yes, we are running "a best photo" competition again with the winner being able to select $75 towards a training event or ORCV merchandise. Entries must be to us by 5pm on Sunday 23rd May. Don't forget to include your name. We would like to use any photos to build the sport, increase participation, on media releases and talking about your great results of boat finishing posts. If you are posting to social media, please include #orcv too.

Sailing Instructions - if you haven't already located them please click on this link. https://www.orcv.org.au/apollo-bay-race-documents

Harbour Entry for Apollo Bay - Your Sailing Instructions have been amended to include harbour depths and the new navigation lights added in November 2020. Please note these lights may not show on your charts. Sailing instructions can be found here

Presentation. The race presentations will be held at The Great Ocean Road Brewhouse at a time determined by your Race Directors. Dave and his team at the Brewhouse are expecting the first arrivals around 6 pm for dinner and have arranged a band from 8pm for your enjoyment. The kitchen closes at 8.30 pm so we ask you to come up for dinner soon after arriving as tables may need to be turned over for crews arriving later. Please check your boat intention to stay is correct below so we can keep updating the pub.

Boats Staying Overnight: Algy Rose, Alien, Audere, Blue Water Tracks, Faster Forward, Hot Chipps, Joker on Tourer, Magic Bullet, Protagonist, Rozinante II, Saltair, Skullduggery, Summer's Lease, True Colours, Vertigo, White Spirit
Staying only for a short while: Cadibarra 8, Vagabond, RMS Cole Walker
Will Stay if Depth is OK: Ca Bouge

If your boat name is not above, means you have either indicated that your intention is to go through the finish and return to Melbourne or you haven't responded. Until Friday midday, you can email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. any changes. After this, please call the Race Director.

Trackers - Leave at Home Documents - As this is a coastal race, your friends and family can follow our Facebook , Instagram, website and can follow many who have AIS on marine traffic. The Leave at Home and Sked sheets are ready for you here too.

Clean Oceans. As with all ORCV races, we encourage each boat and competitor to reduce the level of single-use plastic on board by using reusable and water bottles, using boat cutlery and plates, refilling onboard and taking food in reusable containers. Apollo Bay has natural beauty and a community that is focused on sustainability.

Enjoy the beautiful weather and what's going to be an amazing Great Ocean Road Sail.

Tim & Delma
ORCV Media

2021 ORCV Apollo Bay Weather Forecast

For the 41 yachts and 280+ crew they will be enjoying a predicted beautiful sunny autumn day, winds from behind and one reach from start to finish. What a glorious way to enjoy the 68th "Great Ocean Road Sail"

Obtaining a Ocean Pass for Apollo Bay

If you do not have a current active Australian Sailing number, you will need an Ocean Pass in order to participate in an ORCV race. The Ocean Pass ($60) will issue you with a temporary Australian Sailing number and insurance and will cover you for the duration of that race and delivery home. In addition to the Ocean Pass, you will receive an invoice for crew fees of $60.00 via your skipper.

You may find it's beneficial to join the ORCV as a member as membership starts at $125.00 and will then cover you on all races until 30th September each year. Joining is easy here

If you decide to continue with the Ocean Pass please, click on this link. Please ensure you select 2 days being the dates of May 22 and 23 on the calendar to ensure you are covered for the race and delivery home. The value of the pass will then be $60.