ORCV Melbourne to Apollo Bay (M2AB (not))

Bless 'em.

Bless Team Beyond Outrageous. They are always out there and whenever it's even vaguely possible, they'll have the Bag up.

Rebecca Clancy was at SYC for the finish and got us this image of Team BO.

One of our favourite friends of the site, Ian Lindsay, usually sails aboard, so Ian, if you have a moment, we'd love to hear how it all went and how good all the rums were when you got back to the Squadron's bar?!

Go HERE for the overall results.

You know really it should be bless all nine starters who braved the elements....

© 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...

ORCV Melbourne to Apollo Bay (M2AB)

They're Happy.

And you know what - they deserve to be. In fact, as far as I am concerned, you can do whatever you like, as a result of going through that lot...

Second to None chased down White Noise and are heading down 225 degrees, before heading across to Prince George. 

Later, our correspondent, Hayley Thomas, said, "Well this is Second to None heading to the finish line... We are actually the crew and team behind Joint Venture sailing, and onboard Second to None for close to the first time - without the owner! What a great experience. It is a pity we didn't make the ocean this time, but look out Wicked, we plan to catch you someday soon with our partners in crime, Halycon, Joint Venture and Second to None! 'The hunt begins...'

"It is all good fun and thanks for the great weekend, ORCV!"

George Shaw met with eXtasea when they came into SYC to drop off three crew members, before bouncing back to Geelong. The race team noticed their kitework wasn’t quite up to their normal standard as they approached the finish line and when Geo met them at the dock, we found out why. "They had pole problems, so were limited to the Assy and a dead downwind angle that just did not suit."

In any event, they crossed the line at 16:20:36 and just 10 minutes behind was Spirit of Downunder, which is bound to make Laurie Ford very excited, indeed. What the win means for eXtasea and their Offshore Championship aspirations - I'll just let The Brass go to the rule book and give me an edict on that, in the end.

So as at 1830hrs, we are just waiting on our last finisher, Magic, who are very close, apparently. It was not a long wait. Only until 37 seconds after 1900hrs and we were all back home, squared away after another round of fun. Go HERE for the overall results.

Right. You know what else? Because everyone's chuffed, we are! Cheers and well done to all and sundry for their efforts today.

© 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...

ORCV Melbourne to Apollo Bay (M2AB)

Teri Dodds' Pics!

This is what ace maritime shooter, Teri Dodds, saw as she was in around Queenscliff, Point Lonsdale and therefore, The Rip, this morning... Yes. She's good and yes, there are some gems here!

Also, Peter Clancy reports from the fleet, that it is now Sou'West winds of 20 knots, BTW.

In this image from the 1205hrs sked, we see that eXtasea and Spirit of Downunder have rounded P2 and are heading off back to Prince George Sound, before the big reach over to SYC #1. Team Bo are aboput 3.5nm from P2 and the backmarker is Magic. As discussed, Biddy Hu II has put her waterline length to good use and is trying to haul them in. Second to None found the Colt, Mille Sabords, to play with and Magazan 53 has White Noise right next to her.

Queenscliff Pier and a bit of swell running into the beach...

Biddy Hu II comes out to play.

If you've been following this site for a while, you'll already know of my strong addiction to the orange wonders....

Bucky's Ecky - translation, Paul Buchholz's eXtasea.

Spirit of Downunder, Magic, eXtasea and team BO.

SoD and Ecky.

Ecky streaks ahead...

Extasea and the Pilot Boat.

OH YEAH! 25 knots straight into it. Wooooo Hooooooooo.

Reckon that's Magic.

White Noise and the Coast Guard boat with the Orange wonder.

White Noise with a slab in.

Biddy Hu II.

Nearly Four Fingers West and how's that swell marching straight on in through the Heads! Moves along quickly and goes in many directions.

Yeah. Not down the mine, but pretty cool.

This is why the inside path was chosen for the "Not" to Apollo Bay Cat3 event.

Airtime.

Watertime always follows.

Then it's airtime, again.

So you get to see the 4+m swells in action with this one.

This one could go straight off to Beken of Cowes - Many thanks to Teri Dodds for getting us her images so quickly - cheers. She's a gem.

Oh yeah! Fun and Games everywhere...

© 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...

ORCV Melbourne to Apollo Bay (M2AB)

Entrée...

As in Starters...

Our Peter, the voice of Ocean Racing, has just sent the list of starters to me:

• Team Beyond Outrageous
• Biddy HU II
• eXtasea
• Magazan 53
• Magic
• Mille Sabords
• Second to None
• Spirit of Downunder
• White Noise

Just nine got away from the original 27. Wow. Peter Clancy had also just heard from eXtasea, who'd said to him, "Its quite an experience running square up the Western Channel in this wind." Peter also let us know that Slinky Malinky have torn their mainsail, so have withdrawn from the race. This is very disappointing at the best of times, but especially so now, when they were very much in for a chance to get some loot for their efforts in the whole Offshore Championship. As it is now, eXtasea just have finish, in order to finish first. I'll let The Brass re-read the rule book and give me a determination on that...

Race Management were on the Start Boat. Here eXtasea just gets there before Spirit of Downunder, who's under reef.

Now speaking of eXtasea, they do not have there leader onboard today. Paul 'Bucky' Buchholz is away, but did send this in. "Hi John. Just following the race and the start from Chicago USA and Teri's comments about being cold. Am presenting at a conference on here at the moment and couldn't make the race, but am there in spirit with a great crew, some of whom have been with the boat(s) for almost 20 years! This series to us is very important from a historical point of view, with the possibility of getting four straight MOC wins."

That certainly is very true and puts them in the same sort of league as the original Bacardi gang, but there is also some added motivation onboard. It is Tony Bull's first race back after the death of his Father and they are really out there trying to make a show of it for him. Speaking of shows, they have told me that the trip up the Western Channel was "...interesting in such a narrow patch of water with the kite up and the Brace coming out of the Beak" (at the end of the spinnaker pole).

From onboard, Stu Addison told me that they were doing 16 knots easily now and watching behind, as Spirit of Downunder takes ground out of them. "They're flying and really getting in to it. We have also just watched Team Beyond Outrageous go for a big wipeout. The rest of the fleet is under poled out headsail." Must say, would not be Team BO if they were not at full noise with a kite up - God Bless!

Also out there is Hayley Thomas, on Second to None, who started with a slab in, as well. "So we are not allowed out through the Heads...but it is fantastic in the Bay and we are screaming towards the West Channel! The hunt is on!" Only problem is, as the only Beneteau First 40 out there now, they have to go and find someone else to play with...

Second to None's mainsail, obviously during one of the sunny patches. That slab has gone, too...

Aboard Second to None - Helming can be a wet, nasty business on days like this...

Here are some additional images from Robyn Brooke, whilst she was aboard the Start Boat.

Biddy Hu II goes by - bet they put their waterline length to use as the race goes on...

This is Magic, who were third over the line. Phil Spry-Bailey was one of the souls keen to get an Inside course organised in case of this very scenario. Well done, pal...

Magazan 53 with the Queenscliff Tower and Ferry in behind...

Biddy Hu II was the last starter...

Certainly looks wild and wooly out there.

Teri Dodds sent us an image of the Rip from this morning, after watching and shooting the start. "Point Nepean to the left, looking out from Point Lonsdale carpark. Quite nasty oput there!!" was how she put it. Yes. Staying inside was the best call.

Showers (inside a bathroom that is) and food not that far away...

© 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...