ORCV Melbourne to Vanuatu (M2V)

Masterchefs' Division.

Now having talked about all this food, it seemed only fair to review one of the crews that originated this now very popular category for the 2010 M2V. From Rosie Colahan and David James aboard their Jenneau Sun Odyssey 40, we received the following encapsulation of their weeks leading into the event and the last two days of sailing.

Our very good hearted and jovial friends Rosie and David - pic © and with thanks to Steb Fisher

"Well, we finally made it to the start line for the M2V Race! After a couple of anxious weeks, with the boat in the yard for the replacement of of our through hull fittings and the mast out elsewhere for servicing and replacement of wire, the weather conspired against us and an intact yacht was looking doubtful. Finally with three days to go to the start, the mast and hull were reunited, followed by a flurry of activity to reconnect instruments, radar, nav lights and integrate new gear." Something I can tell you has meant that certain instruments don't like talking to others directly and David has arranged a system for getting all the necessary info from different sources and displayed on deck via an array of panels...

"Then came the mammoth task of loading up and stowing water, food, diesel, clothing, charts, safety gear and the increasing amount of electronic equipment that you need to go to sea these days! Mavis, Kathy & Alan did a great job ferrying and stowing our gear aboard. Briefing, farewells, Customs & Immigration clearance early Saturday morning and we were off with the 'Sicilian Mammas' (Mary and Venny) aboard to help us sail the boat to Blairgowrie."

I think we get it - pic © and with thanks to Steb Fisher

"Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron hosted a lively farewell dinner for all the crews along with their families and friends. Exhausted, we had an early night and the best sleep we had enjoyed in weeks! Sunday dawned with a light westerly breeze and an overcast sky. After a final weather briefing on Sunday morning at BYS, David and I challenged George Shaw and Robyn Brooke aboard ,The Secretary, to have our own 'Masterchef Division, in lieu of the 'Two-Handed Division', which had been officially abandoned due to lack of entrants (we were the only two boats this time around...)"

"Off to Portsea for the start, where we were farewelled by all those fantastic people watching from the pier. Being short handed, we timed our run for the start line to minimize our need to tack or gybe and get there before all the bigger boats, which would have gassed us with their bigger rigs. Unfortunately our enthusiasm saw us OCS (On Course Side) and having to return, in order to restart."

"The fleet had to beat across to the turning mark at Shortland Bluff and thenceforth we were out Port Phillip Heads, where it was not long before the fleet turned south east, cracked sheets and hoisted kites. The light westerly winds and the competing SW/SE swells kept us rocking and rolling and made it difficult to keep the wind in the kite. By nightfall the wind was dropping, as we drifted slowly towards Wilsons Promontory."

Sailing past the gang on the Portsea Pier after their restart - pic © and with thanks to Steb Fisher

"By Monday's dawn, we were traveling comfortably with day breaking over Skull Rock and revealing the Prom in all its awesome splendour. A steady 8knot Northerly carried us past Rodondo Island and then died completely after passing SE Point. The sun shone, the dolphins arrived to play and a few curious Pacific Gulls trailed us, so as to check out the daily specials."

"What a great place for a picnic!"

"The cockpit table was set and a hearty roast pumpkin and capsicum soup was served with sour dough bread and King Island Lighthouse blue/brie was enjoyed, as we 'parked' in this magnificent place. The afternoon passed on a glassy sea with no wind. Yes, the doldrums had moved to latitude 38 degrees South!  At twilight, the setting sun shot shafts of pink, gold and silver over the oily sea, a fitting finale to a fabulous day."

Cheers - we'll keep you posted on our health and wellbeing, especially our diet - pic © and with thanks to Steb Fisher

"The evening brought with it a star studded sky and a light Northerly land breeze, which picked us up and moved us along again. Arab beef with root vegetables was served, with couscous and a spinach salad for dinner, warming us for the cool evening ahead."

Needless to say that with the Bass Strait tourist brochure weather, our distance made good for the day was very poor, but so it was the rest of the fleet. How lucky we had been to spend a stunning day in the paradise of the Prom. Hopefully we will be amongst the oil rigs on Tuesday and heading for Gabo Island." We do to, guys and thanks for the update from the galley, I mean boat...

To see where the fleet are located and to look at the sked positions, please go HERE.

By John Curnow