Entire Group Cock of the Bay - it's not unusual

9:02 PM Sun 13 Dec 2009 GMT

'Lou occupying the familiar quarter rail - great to have you aboard for Boxing Day. - Entire Group Cock of the Bay Race' John Curnow

Entire Group Cock of the Bay.

Just like the song title by Tom Jones, it's not unusual for another legend, Lou Abrahams, The Doyen of Victorian Yachting, to be in Sydney preparing for yet another Sydney Hobart. After all, he has amassed a staggering total of 44 of them.

However, for the very first time, Lou has entered his Sydney 38, 'Challenge', in the Entire Group Cock of the Bay race on Boxing Day, a time when is usually departing Sydney Heads. The whole of the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria heartily welcomes you and your crew to the race Lou. Lovely to have you aboard.

Lou is a softly spoken man, however he tells us that 'Normally, I would be starting the Sydney to Hobart race, but I have retired and am looking forward to my first Cock of The Bay.' This huge annual Boxing Day event starts off Port Melbourne for the finish line just off Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron, on the delightful Mornington Peninsula. It is the feeder race for the offshore 'Tassie Trio' of the Kidder Williams Melbourne to Launceston and Heemskirk
Consolidated Melbourne to Hobart races, which navigate via both the West and East coasts of Tasmania.

Of his boat and crew, Lou stated on his entry that, 'Challenge' is a Sydney 38 One Design with a masthead spinnaker. Current Victorian Champion and enjoys good results in Div 1. Will struggle against the latest 50 footers.' ORCV Race Administrator, Dennis Livingston, feels that 'It seems anything less than a 50 footer will get thrashed' and there's every chance of just that.

A lot of people would tend to agree with you too, Dennis. So it's not too late to come out of the pen on Boxing Day and be a part of the great inshore race - this year with the very unusual attraction of The Doyen being around. If you cannot race, it's a good enough reason just to be there as part of the spectator fleet.