Fresh to Frightening! ORCV's Melbourne Winter Series

7:10 AM Mon 3 Aug 2009 GMT

'Good crew work all day - pic courtesy of Terri Dodds - Melbourne Winter Series' John Curnow

2009 Ocean Racing Club of Victoria's Melbourne Winter Series. You know, it may have even been fantastic out there. It all depended on just where you were though! A gale warning had been issued for winds expected to reach 20 knots by lunchtime and then rise further to 25-30 knots by mid-afternoon, with yet more in the evening. No problem getting two races in then.

RACE 3 of the 2009 Ocean Racing Club of Victoria's Melbourne Winter Series

It was hard to say who won the start, but at the pin end 'Rush' appeared to dead heat with 'Cougar II' at the Committee Boat end, with 'Challenge' more to the centre. The Division 2 start was in complete contrast, with four boats over, one of which did not return. Doh! Doh! Doh! Doh! 'Cougar II' was first around the weather mark, some 1.6 miles to windward, followed by 'Audi Centre Melbourne' and 'Calm' close together, as too were the next pair, 'Goldfinger' and 'XLR8'. In Division 2, first round was 'INXS', then 'The Secretary', 'Kingarra' and 'Beyond Outrageous'.

Accordingly and not so very surprisingly, downwind was where the fun began. On the Committee Boat, 20-23 knots was recorded, but that is at a height of maybe 3 metres, a lot lower than what most yachts would record at their masthead. There were a few roundups, but the truly spectacular action was yet to come (see Race 4). 'Cougar II' had opened up a lead of 3 minutes from 'Audi Centre Melbourne' by the next windward mark, but lost out to 'Audi Centre Melbourne' at the finish, despite showing surprising speed under jib only. There was a mainsail halyard issue on the run downhill for them. 'Sea Fever' lost out badly to two starboard tackers at the windward mark and quick thinking was required for both 'Rush' and the new Elliott 44 'Veloce', who approached with a yacht stalled at the mark. These two yachts sailed neck and neck all day, which must be beneficial for both.

The breeze rose to our recorded 27 knots maximum, with 14 knots as the lowest lull, which made for yet more fun downwind. Making the most of the day was 'Just A Minor Hickup' sailing well and 'Under Capricorn' also making a good appearance. 'The Secretary' overtook 'INXS' for the finish, despite 'INXS' having been in front for every other leg. Well done - it was their kind of weather. 'Challenge' led the Sydney 38s all the way round.

Just their sort of weather on the day. - Melbourne Winter Series - John Curnow

RACE 4

After a hard workout in Race 3, some absences depleted the fleet a little for Race 4. From the Committee Boat point-of-view, it was fantastic entertainment, with adrenalin surges aplenty!

'Calm' was having a rough day, wrapping the anchor chain to the pin end of the line around their keel. This, in turn, caused two postponements for the 'B' start until a new mark could be hastily laid. Division 1 started in an orderly fashion otherwise, but the race officials 'had a bit on' with flags, marks and more shotgun shells to really notice much. 'Cougar II' was two minutes late for the start, but still went on to win IRC for Race 4. They also picked up the Committee Boat's 'Slickest Crew Work of the Day' award for their efforts in keeping it 'noice'. The Division 2 start was also orderly although the sea had built somewhat by this stage.

On the first run downhill, one of the yachts began to look unstable, finishing with a spectacular Chinese Gybe. No-one has owned up to doing it yet, although a few think they know who it was. At any rate, when they finally did pop back up, the kite simply went 'BANG' and instantly reefed itself. Robin Hewitt wishes he got the binoculars out quicker, so he could have counted the barnacles on her keel. Where is the camera when you really need it? On the second leg downwind there were a lot of poled out headies, as many had displayed a keel and rudder the first time around. It was a typical Northerly day, with extra bullets coming down the course and not a lot of warning before them.

Robin also reports that there was 'An absence of vang control, coupled with tardiness in easing jib sheets noticeable throughout the fleet, which made for a few poor windward mark roundings.' He also quickly added that it is 'Easy to say as a spectator!' All in all however, it was a good day for experienced crew or brave souls.

Just over half of the 2009 ORCV MWS has now been completed. In AMS (DIV1), the series is been lead by 'Just a Minor Hickup' with 'Audi Centre Melbourne' just 2 points behind and 'Wicked' in third place. In AMS (DIV2), 'Can Can' leads from 'Godzilla' with 'Addiction' in third. In IRC (DIV 1), 'Audi Centre Melbourne' has a massive 10 point lead and will be hard to beat from here. Peter Coleman's 'JAMHU' is having a great series and is in second place with the Doyen and his S38 'Challenge' in third. For IRC (DIV 2), 'INXS' leads from 'Can Can' with 'Alibi' in third. In PHS Division 1, 'Audi Centre Melbourne' leads from 'Just A Minor Hickup' with 'Wicked' in third. In Division 2, 'INSX' leads from 'Addiction' with 'Magazan 53' in third.

You can check it all out here. orcv.org.au/index.php?option=com_wrapper&;view=wrapper&Itemid=312