ORCV Melbourne to King Island

Naviguessing all the way!

The changes to the Dash Back system, put in place for the King Island race, should keep those of the Slippers and Smoking Jackets working away (or at least that's the hope)!

I was speaking with He of the Count Down Timer (aka ORCV Committee Member, Jeremy Walton) today about the changes to the Sailing Instructions for the Dash Back from King Island and here is what he had to say, "We thought about the 24 hour starting time limit after you finish the race to commence the Dash Back and realised that with the speed difference in the fleet, this could prove to be difficult for the lead boats and present some logistical challenges for Peter Clancy, in terms of running the scheds for the whole fleet, should they indeed choose to do the Dash Back." (PS - Dash Back SIs are available from HERE.)

Councillor Island on the Eastern side of King Island - one of the things you need to get right in the KI journey...

"Accordingly, we have removed the 24 hours re-start period from after your own finishing time and instead, the mandated latest starting time is now 1800hrs on Sunday, March 13, 2011. The main advantage of this, is it will allow all boats to be in and enjoy the hospitality that John Hiscock and the King Island Boat Club crew put on at Grassy and then leave at a civilised hour on the Sunday for the dash back to Melbourne. After all who would want to miss out on THOSE steak sandwiches and also the Famous Plastic Bag raffle on Sunday morning after the presentations!!!!!" Jeremy added to his commentary.

Here's our Sally Williams with "One of those sandwiches..."

"This change could prove to make those of the Slippers and Smoking Jackets work very hard as they determine the best time to leave and take advantage of the currents around King Island, make a good crossing of The Paddock, get through the imaginary finish line off Point Lonsdale and then through the Heads at Slack Water." The other observation Jeremy (The Smoking Jacket wearer on BBB) went on to make was that "Every time I have been to King Island, I always seem to get back to the Heads faster than I have done the race in, so you could see the record being broken and re-set if not in both directions, possibly the one."

"The ORCV hopes that many of the fleet choose to take advantage of these changes and have a go at winning the first Dash Back race (there where no entries from Stanley last year due to the weather in Bass Straight during the required 24 hour period after finishing)". Jeremy went onto say that, "The ORCV will be looking at the Dash Back Sailing Instructions for Port Fairy and Apollo Bay, as well, to ensure that they make sense for the boats entered and possible conditions."

Here's Magic Carpet winning the 2010 King Island race - Two Handed no less!!!

Now whilst I had Jeremy on the line, I just could not help but ask him - how long?..... To which I got an instance response of :-

Instantaneously, the response was that as of 4/3/2011, there are:

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

	Councillor Island on the left, as seen from the plane... Remember the currents!!!!

ORCV Melbourne to King Island

Heave Ho! FREE trial of Anti-Seasickness Device.

Boats move on the ocean's surface and sometimes in the air, too, as Andrew Brice's pic here of the BBB shows.

Now there are only a few sailors I know that never feel a bit uneasy at some point. For some, it's a quick spit in the direction of the leeward rail, let the next wave clean the area and they're back on the job. I have even seen one of this site's most famous characters turn over the side for just a second, swivel back and crack the next can in the process!!! Respect or what...

Seriously though, many get horrendously afflicted and some stay below for the remainder of the journey. I am sure they do not feel the best at letting their colleagues carry the load, but it cannot be helped. Most sailors who talk with me about the issue swear by the patches and the drugs, whilst effective, can leave you feeling a bit like you just had an all-weekend bender with Charlie Sheen. So what about something that taps into your own internal systems (the patches work on acupressure points, I understand), but isn't as irritating or likely to come off at some point?

Energy Force have released the 'Sea Biscuit' and we have some for you to try - absolutely Free of Charge. The US Military is doing the same BTW with the Energy Force band, so it's not a joke or as bad as the late Peter Brock v Holden thing with the Polarizer... (Yes Ross - You do have to be old and a petrol head to get that one - OK?! Cryptic Curnow is alive and well thank you...)

The company's Managing Director, Damian Gill, had this to say about their product, "Our 'Sea Biscuit' band is tuned to regulate the body's own electrical system, by optimising the Autonomic Nerve System (ANS). Due to the day to day stresses of life (mobile phones, florescent lights, AC electricity etc), our ANS is often out of whack and affects our energy levels."

"The Energy Force band has been proven to instantly optimise the ANS, so as the body can work at its most effective level. We have tailored the band for sea sickness, by laser imprinting specific frequencies and thus created the 'Sea Biscuit'. We believe it will instantly alleviate the feelings of sea sickness and have conducted small case studies, which have garnered very positive feedback. We now want to expand this into a larger case study involving ocean racing. Our previous test results for the standard bands can be found HERE. Unlike other products on the market, our device does not need to be in constant, direct contact with your skin, just next to it, not above other clothing. i.e. like a loose wrist band ala Lance Armstrong style, not a tight watch band. Also the best thing about our band is it can be used again and again and again. When they are released for sale, they'll be a one off investment that should be as important as a life jacket, flares and an esky for any boat. Thank you for helping and we feel confident that you will get the results you are looking for", said Damian.

"There are many colours in our range and these are the most popular", he then added.

As mentioned, you can now trial the Sea Biscuit for FREE, for yourself in time for King Island and then Port Fairy and Apollo Bay, should you find it successful. Limited to the first 20 participants. All you have to do is:

1. Request your size in an email to the Office and then swing by to collect it just before the race.
2. Not use any other sea-sickness medicine or device for the event and either A; wear it when you start to feel uneasy and monitor how long it takes for their symptoms to subside or B; have it on from 12 hours before so as the body can adjust and don’t take it off while sailing - this latter path is for those who experience severe sea sickness and would usually opt to take tablets to counter sea sickness.
3. Provide some feedback, based on your experiences.

Give it a go... It's yours to keep for future events too!!!!!!!!!

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

	Councillor Island on the left, as seen from the plane... Remember the currents!!!!

ORCV Melbourne to King Island

All set.

Appearing from an undisclosed source is this image of Kevin 'No Fearr' Robinson. They were one of the 27 entries heading to King Island on March 12, 2011. Unfortunately, they have had to withdraw, with Kevin saying, "Gee I'm going to miss those steak sandwiches!". We'll miss having you there mate, too.

Now No Fearr's place was taken by Laurie 'Lozza' Ford and the Spirit of Downunder. So with that, everyone's all set, but what we really hope for, is that someone will be as relaxed this year, as Kevin was in the 2010 King Island race.

Now, it's also a big thank you to all 27 boats. A magnificent fleet including old faces, new faces and it promises to be a hoot. Below are some pics from Mystery Man, who has been completely AWOL for ages. You alive, dude?????

Grassy Harbour is exceptionally well protected and deep. Has sensationally clear and luminescent water too!

From around the same time as Rear Window was taken and pubished - see HERE.

Taxi!!!

We'll be with the team at the King Island Boat Club soon enough (John, John, Carol, Wendy, Ian, Michael, Darren and so many others). And yes. There'll be beef and cheese - I've already had the word!!!

PS. Look out for the plastic bag raffle - the contents can be very handy...

Just about upon us now.

© John Curnow, ORCV Media

Please contact me for re-issue rights.

	Councillor Island on the left, as seen from the plane... Remember the currents!!!!

ORCV Melbourne to King Island (M2KI as part of the MMOC)

He's back!

No. Not Big Arnie, but Mystery Man... Don't remember him? Well, this is where it began - click HERE and HERE, HERE and even HERE.

True. It has been a while, but in the meantime, some others have answered the call, as well, so thank you to them too. Here's what Mystery Man has to offer us from the recent M2Ki adventure. He get's around our boy, but our Caped Crusader may have to do a bit more soon to hid his identity, I fear...

MM says, "Photo was taken at 07:22 AM Sat morning - Red Sky in the Morning sailors warning. Lucky we were heading South and Melbourne sure copped
it!!!" Certainly way cold here today, Wednesday, March 10 - I must be getting acclimatised to home...

To prove that you can head South in Bass Strait under kite, MM gives us Kevin Robinson's, No Fearr. Thank you for everything that you and the Heemskirk Consolidated team do, BTW. Kevin.

Hero Shot - Happy crew during the sensational sailing over the weekend. Cuts a diminutive figure, our Caitlin Poulton, as she's only just big enough to peer over the wheel, but she really puts in and is a dedicated soul. Cheers on that.

The approach to the magnificent King Island. Councillor Island on the left I would say...

It's just like camping - only betterer!!!

Grassy Harbour is exceptionally well protected and deep. Has sensationally clear and luminescent water too!

From around the same time as Rear Window was taken and pubished - see HERE.

Yoko's crew head to shore and MM reckons they should have stopped at another boat to collect more more passengers! This image is also a fantastic opportunity to thank John Hiscock and his King Island Boat Club team for all that they do, from ferrying to cooking and of course, serving drinks! That team consists of Carol, Wendy, Ian, Michael, Darren and so many others. It was also Policeman Glen's last time guiding everyone in to port, as he heads back to Tassie soon for other duties, but we really appreciate what he's done and the Tassie Water Police, who put Van Dieman up the top of the island as part of a well-conceived safety first programme. Anyway, thank you team King Island. You do your island proud and your Mayor can be really enthused about all your efforts over the last 20 years!!! Carol, my steak was awesome and had my friends back here, super quiet at dinner time! Thanks.

Day Six of the Club Marine Series Day is but a couple of sleeps away - are we ready team???!!!

By John Curnow