King Island Ocean Yacht Race
| Ocean Race distance: | 114 nautical miles |
| Safety Category: | 2 |
| Start Location: | Queenscliff |
| Start Time: | 2.30pm AEDT |
| Start Date: | 7th March 2025 |
| Race Record: | 09h 50m 21s by PRIMITIVE COOL in 2014 |
| Race Tracker | Click here to follow the race |
The ORCV ocean yacht race to Grassy, King Island, is conducted on the Labour Day weekend in March every year.
This is a Category 2 race that starts at Queenscliff, Victoria, inside Port Phillip Bay, proceeds across the Bass Strait to the finish off at Grassy Harbour, King Island, Tasmania.
While the race to King Island is one of the shorter ocean races at a mere 114 miles, it presents some unique navigational challenges. Far from being a pushover, this race is one of the hardest to get right, given the currents around King Island.
The race is often won or lost in the concluding stages, depending on where yachts land. Significant gains and losses can occur due to wind and tidal influences on the approach to Grassy Harbour.
The Grassy Harbour offers a safe anchorage in all weather and the legendary hospitality of the King Island Boat Club. The steak sandwiches alone are worth the trip.
This race is part of the Offshore Championship.
Race History & Past Winners
Donated by the Municipality of King Island, the Queenscliff to Grassy 1st Overall Trophy is awarded to the measurement category with the most significant number of entries.
| Year | Boat | Skipper |
|---|---|---|
| 1973 | Four Winds | SW Gibson |
| 1974 | Destiny II | GF Chapman |
| 1975 | Pajen | FW Short |
| 1976 | Apollo II | RK Thurston |
| 1977 | Aquila | BW Edmunds |
| 1978 | Apollo II | R&I Thurston |
| 1979 | Apollo II | R&I Thurston |
| 1980 | Pirra | S Shield |
| 1981 | - (No Race Held) | - |
| 1982 | Audacious | L Massoni |
| 1983 | Morning After | |
| 1984 | Predator | D Milliran |
| 1985 | Damel | Chas Jacobsen |
| 1986 | Indian Pacific | Chas Jacobsen |
| 1987 | Indian Pacific | Chas Jacobsen |
| 1988 | Bacardi | Bacardi Syndicate |
| 1989 | Prime Suspect | R Kenyon |
| 1990 | Daffra Sunscreens | H Hertzberg |
| 1991 | Scorpion | N Sedawie |
| 1992 | Cotton Blossom II | E Barron |
| 1993 | Shenandoah II | R White |
| 1994 | Prime Example | C McSorley |
| 1995 | Stampede | |
| 1996 | Bacardi | G Ainley/ J Williams |
| 1997 | JLW Chutzpah | B Taylor |
| 1998 | Hi Jack | J Parkinson |
| 1999 | Bacardi | G Ainley/ J Williams |
| 2000 | By Order of the Secretary | R Billings/ J Porter |
| 2001 | Bacardi | G Ainley/ J Williams |
| 2002 | Cadibarra | N Jones |
| 2003 | Bacardi | G Ainley/ J Williams |
| 2004 | Bacardi | G Ainley/ J Williams |
| 2005 | Rough Red | Robinson/Schenk |
| 2006 | Living Doll | M Hiatt |
| 2007 | Spirit of Downunder | L Ford |
| 2008 | Georgia | G Ainley/ J Williams |
| 2009 | Extasea | P Buchholz |
| 2010 | Magic Carpet | D Coates |
| 2011 | Scarlet Runner | R Date |
| 2012 | Calm | J van Derslot |
| 2013 | Scarlet Runner | R Date |
| 2014 | Primitive Cool | J Newbold |
| 2015 | Scarlet Runner | R Date |
| 2016 | A Cunning Plan | M Chew |
| 2017 | Hartbreaker | T Walton |
| 2018 | Hartbreaker | T Walton |
| 2019 | Under Capricorn | B Carreto |
| 2020 | White Noise | D Edwards |
| 2021 | White Noise | D Edwards. |
| 2022 | Rozinante | A Middleton |
| 2023 | Another Chapter | N Sargeant |
| 2024 | Ginan | C McKenzie / N Jones |
