Done! Dusted! ...and engraving goes on the trophy

7:37 AM Thu 21 May 2009 GMT

'Champions for the second year running - well done 'Extasea' - Pic courtesy Terri Dodds - Melbourne to Apollo Bay and Melbourne Offshore Championship' John Curnow

And in the process of officially cancelling the Melbourne to Apollo Bay, the Melbourne Offshore Championship was also decided.

The Ocean Racing Club of Victoria's Race Director, Simon Dryden explained, 'We just could not find a suitable weekend to run this race. There's the ORCV Melbourne Latitude Series (MLS), the Women's Keelboat Regatta and of course, the ever-popular Melbourne Winter Series (MWS) starts on July 5 with the annual flare firing. This is where the ORCV has arranged with the necessary authorities for sailors to learn and reacquaint themselves with the use of both parachute and hand-held flares. It certainly is a bit of a spectacle.'

'Sure there were a couple of boats that might have been able to have a red-hot go at AMS and PHC, including my boat 'The Secretary', but then that's weather and that's ocean racing. Just ensure you have your entries in for both the MLS and MWS, because you never know what prizes we may have on offer', ORCV Commodore, George Shaw, added.

In the end, the standings are:

IRC
1. 'Extasea' - Paul Buchholz
2. 'Ninety Seven' - Alan Saunders
3. 'Spirit of Downunder' - Laurie Ford

AMS
1. 'Extasea' - Paul Buchholz
2. 'Addiction' - Richard McGarvie
3. 'Spirit of Downunder' - Laurie Ford

PHC
1. 'Mirrabooka' - David Bingham
2. 'Spirit of Downunder' - Laurie Ford
3. 'Chikara Outlaw' - Bill Trueman and Jo Norbury

No surprises then, that Paul Buchholz and the very accomplished crew of 'Extasea' win the 2008/2009 Melbourne Offshore Championship and in doing so get their name on the cabinet that holds the magnificent etched glass vase, that is the trophy for this revered Championship for the second year in a row.

One of the best pieces of news is that the fantastic Donaghys rope prizes, the two reels of 8mm Dyneema core, will just have to be held over for another event. The new Melbourne Offshore Championship season starts with the Melbourne to Flinders jaunt in September.

'Ninety Seven' just did not have enough points to challenge the well-rated 'Extasea' in IRC - Melbourne to Apollo Bay and Melbourne Offshore Championship - John Curnow Click Here to view large photo