Melbourne to Vanuatu (M2V)

Sailor Kaz.

Karen 'Kaz' Young competed in the 2006 Melbourne to Vanuatu aboard the venerable 'Helsal II'. Apart from being a great sailor and crewmember, she prepared this video as a memento of her trip, which you can see HERE. Look closely at around two and a half minutes in to it for a quick glimpse of the girl with the wheel in her hands. It is also worth watching for anyone who may be contemplating joining the happy band that are going to go again in 2010 or needs some extra convincing.

So. What a great segue into the band for 2010. There's people who went last time, like 'Ingenue', who won the two handed division, 'The Secretary' (yeah OK, George took 'BOOTS' last time) and stalwarts of the ocean racing scene, like 'Yoko'. Also going are 'Audacious', who've been featuring with their FDU Poster Boy in recent times, M2O veterans 'Dekadence' and Geelong boat 'Chikara Outlaw'.

And then there's one entrant clearly going after the record set by Andrew Short Marine in the old VO60. Chris Dare has put 'Audi Centre Melbourne' in and with her new found speed, she'll be looking to get off the breeze and reach off into the tropics to clock off as many of the 1885nms as possible.

The NOR for the 2010 Melbourne to Vanuatu (M2V) is available HERE.

You can express your interest by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or do it online HERE and

You can see the fleet list for the 2010 Melbourne to Vanuatu (M2V) HERE.

Anyway, thank you Kaz. It's a great little feature. Hope you and the Fam are doing well. Long time. No see...

By John Curnow

Melbourne to Vanuatu (M2V)

Just a Quickie!

Ha Ha! Fooled you. No. it's not a romantic interlude on a deserted beach (although I am sure we'd all be in for that by the time it is really Winter in 2010). It's just a quick note to say that you can see those who have already put their hand up to go on this great adventure by clicking here. Of course it isn't a quick journey, probably at least 10 days on a biggish boat, which is a bit like three Hobarts back to back, when you think about it. We used to say things like that on the long races - "Hey. One Hobart down, just six to go!" Anyway, you could take something like the SS President Coolidge pictured here, because at least they go directly to windward, but that just would not be as much fun - now would it! So having put that out there I've just made it downhill all the way and everybody will love me - yeah right? (Better get that brochure out for me, Captain Raw...)

By the way. For those that have been totally inspired by wonderful stories, awesome diving, great relaxation and doing something for a less fortunate society (stay tuned for more on that) - then you can go and put your own expression of interest into the mix, just by clicking HERE.

By John Curnow

Melbourne To Vanuatu (M2V)

Your best pair of Shorts.

The late Andrew Short showed up for the Portsea start of the inaugural Ocean Racing Club of Victoria Melbourne to Vanuatu in 2006 with his VO60, 'Andrew Short Marine'. NOR2, the old 'Kvaerner' then 'Djuice' trialhorse, went on to get Line Honours and as such, holds the record for this 1885nm haul up North into the delightful Coral Sea.

'Andrew Short Marine' won Line Honours in the inaugural M2V of 2006 in the time of 07:17:06:00. The VO60 is seen here at anchor in Port Vila. They had arrived a few days before the opposition.

Now in 2008, his Brother Matthew and a whole cast of the extended family, smashed the Melbourne to Hobart West record by over five hours. No mean feat in itself. It was also over a day shorter than the last time he did it as kid with his Mum and Dad and two of his Brothers, so that really is something.

Matthew Short and the whole extended gang showed up in 'Shortwave' to smash the M2H West record in 2008.

Well then, the question becomes will Matthew bring his TP52 'Shortwave' to the 2010 Melbourne to Vanuatu (M2V) and have a go at his Brother's record? I do not know. Let's hope so, as it is clear that the M2V is going to become a genuine long-haul classic like the Cape to Rio and the TransPac. It's also a really good way to get the boat up to Northern latitudes ready for Hamilton Island. So much so, that the first entries are already in!

Could we in fact see the Lutra 80, currently under construction at McConaghys, on the start line as a way to get closer to its home in the Med? It would be tremendous to have a pocket maxi like 'Loki', 'Limit', 'Black Jack' or 'Wild Oats X' take it on, as wel. And then what a treat seeing one of the one hundred footers would be too...

Will Matt Allen bring 'Ichi Ban' out of mothballs in Newcastle for the 2010 M2V?	Early glimpses of the 'Lutra 80' under construction now at McConaghy's in Mona Vale

Anyway, for the rest of us our only question to ask is how to get that much time off work to go and enjoy all this fun. It isn't just limited to the race either. There's amazing scenery, beaches and diving once you get there. History abounds, especially as there was a lot of WWII activity around the area. Reputably the world's largest and most accessible wreck, the 'SS President Coolidge', is just 50m off shore, for instance.

	The 'SS President Coolidge' was badly damaged in Ocotber of 1942 and run up on the beach to evacuate the troops. She was then scuttled just 50m from the shore and is today a most accessible and lively underwater attraction. Just more reasons to get there in 2010.

The ORCV's 20Ten Melbourne to Vanuatu Race is starting at 12noon on Sunday July 4, 2010. You can find the Notice Of Race here or if you're dead keen already, email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. now and get fully fired up for the great race.

There will be more information posted here on orcv.org.au, as it becomes available.

By John Curnow

Up in the same latitudes as Cairns during the Southern Hemisphere's Winter - that's definitely Game On!	And you get to see stuff like this...

Twenty Ten. Apart from being two of the late Joe Adams best designs, it is also when the next Melbourne to Vanuatu (M2V) is going to be run. That's right. It's going to be game on in just over a year, so start planning your leave from work now...

The Adams20 'Helsal II' with just a bit on leaving Melbourne's Port Phillip Heads for the 2005 M2H - yes the kite did go "POP" just a couple of seconds later (I was the mainsail trimmer onboard)!

In 2006, the ORCV held the inaugural Melbourne to Vanuatu (M2V) race – and what a race it was! There are still people talking about it at various clubs now. The race was won by a name very much known in the yachting world - Short. In this case it was Andrew Short and crew. His Brother Matthew (and the whole family) won and set a new record for M2H.W last year with the TP52 'Shortwave'. There were also a number of entrants in the Two Handed Division, in step with that other great Two Handed race, the Melbourne to Osaka (M2O). Of course, in 2006 there was also a race home to get boats up to Hamilton Island ready for Race Week. So you really are going to need that leave stored up. This race was the Vanuatu to Mackay (V2MK) and they did not have anywhere near ‘brochure’ type weather, but then, that’s ocean racing for you.

BANG! Only 1885nm to go...

Yep. Standing under that cold shower tearing up $100 notes!!! In keeping with the ORCV’s ‘Safety First’ Policy, there was a lot of education and documentation that was prepared and conducted. These covered areas such as: Health Provisioning Repairs SAR, Salvage Customs and Quarantine.

Turn left out of Port Phillip Heads, traverse 'The Paddock' and then head NE!	'Ingenue' won the Two Handed Division 2006 M2V

Bill 'Captain Raw' Rawson always used to say that this was what was in the brochure when we were racing and the weather had gone to God. So here it is Bill...	And again...
	Bill 'Captain Raw' Rawson now has an ever expanding armada since retiring from ocean racing... go figure.

By John Curnow