King Island Ocean Yacht Race

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Ocean Race distance:  114 nautical miles 
Safety Category: 2
Start Location: Queenscliff
Start Time:  1700 AEDT
Start Date: FRIDAY 10th March 2023
Race Record: 09h 50m 21s by PRIMITIVE COOL in 2014


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 which starts off Queenscliff, Victoria, inside Port Phillip Bay, proceeds across Bass Strait to the finish off 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 make their landfall. Big 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.

 

 

 
 
 



Monday, 13 March 2023 17:06

Another Chapter wins slow dance in Melbourne to King Island Race Another Chapter, Neil Sargeant’s Beneteau 44.7, has won the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria’s slow and fluctuating Melbourne to King Island Yacht Race, while Paul Buchholz’s Extasea took line honours.  Another Chapter (far right) won the 2023 King Island Race.  Photo Steb Fisher Sargeant can breathe easy now after an extremely close race between the top three overall, decided under AMS. Just 11 seconds decided the winner from Scarlet Runner (Rob Date) and Solera (Stuart Richardson), which placed second and third...

Friday, 10 March 2023 22:46

11th March 7am Race Update   As predicted last night, the fleet has endured a very light, and somewhat frustrating night at sea, with the lead boat only advancing 36nm in the 10 hours since the 21:00 Radio Sched.   Whilst the leaderboard has not change significantly since our last update, with Paul Buchholz’s Cookson 50, Extasea leading from Scarlet Runner and Ruyjin, with MRV and Hartbreaker poised, ready to take advantage of the first sign of the new breeze.   The handicap honours are still wide open with Michael Culhane's Northshore 38, Weekend Option team...

Wednesday, 08 March 2023 22:19

Final Reminders – 2023 King Island Race King Island has limited health resources so we ask you all to adhere to our hosts' requests as outlined below. If you are unwell prior to departure, please stay at home. If you are unwell upon arrival, as per the SI’s we ask that all the crew stay on the boat. Tender Service The water police are monitoring the event and the boat club have asked that everyone wears a life jacket on the tender transfer service to avoid a fine. Consider bringing a waterproof bag for your crew jackets to go into. After you finish, please follow exactly the instructions...

Tuesday, 07 March 2023 10:17

  Challenges fuel interest in 51st King Island Race More than 30 boats are set to start the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria’s 114 nautical mile King Island Race, starting at 5pm on Friday 10 March off Queenscliff, with competitors chasing overall honours and the nine-year-old race record set by John Newbold’s Primitive Cool of nine hours 50 minutes 21seconds. Royal Geelong Yacht Club’s Paul Buchholz is prepping his canting Cookson 50, Extasea, hoping conditions are ripe for record breaking. Prizes at the end are large crayfish and King Island cheeses. If you don’t win a cray,...

Saturday, 04 February 2023 14:36

King Island Race 2023 There’s something super special about King Island that brings us back year after year. With the race just around the corner and starting in daylight on Friday 10th March at 5pm, I invite you to experience this amazing destination race and to the land of meat, cheese and rugged beauty.  Grassy Harbour offers safe anchorage in all weather and the race is part of the ORCV Offshore, Double Handed Championships and Australian Ocean Racing Championship (AORC). For those who haven’t been to King Island, it’s the perfect ocean racing distance of 114 nm and...

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