Heemskirk Consolidated Melbourne to everywhere. Good morning! For some

9:04 PM Sun 27 Dec 2009 GMT

'’Audacious’ is leading the Westcoaster - here they are on Port Phillip working on their communication skills - Heemskirk Consolidated Melbourne to Hobart' John Curnow

As the sun rises in Launceston, Tasmania, some have had a great night and others, well, much less so. Not much good about the morning for boats like 'INSX', who have slipped to last place in the Heemskirk Consolidated Melbourne to Hobart Eastcoaster. 'Belle' has not been able to hold their early lead in the Kidder Williams Melbourne to Launceston, which would seem to indicate that it did get fairly soft overnight, indeed.

Having said all of that, the little Hick 31, 'Godzilla', has been punching well above her weight overnight and is sixth this morning in the Eastcoaster race. She would give away 15 feet, minimum, to those ahead of her. Leading the Eastcoaster is 'XLR8', but she has 'Ocean Skins' and 'Dream' right there with her.

’Ocean Skins’ must be tied to ’XLR8’, who are leading the Eastcoaster race. - Heemskirk Consolidated Melbourne to Hobart - John Curnow

The latter is clearly going to make a dramatic statement, as she leaves her other cruisy pair of 'Biddy HuII' and 'Pretty Woman' well behind and joins the racing boats. There is no shortage of experience, miles and determination onboard Robert Green's Pacific50. The same can well and truly be said of 'Merlion', the Beneteau 40.7 of Eddie Mackevicius, who has taken a leaf from 'Dream's book and decided to morph into a racing boat and occupies fifth place.

A great night has been had over on the Heemskirk Consolidated Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster, where the Sydney38 'Audacious' has taken the lead from the Z39, 'Jazz Player'. It is still a close bunch at the top of the fleet here, with 'Icefire', 'Spirit of Downunder' and 'Tevake II' still in striking distance, especially if the spinnakers can come out or it opens to a beam reach.

The leaders have completed around 10 to 11% of the 440nm course, whereas over on the Eastcoaster, the leaders there are closing in on covering 20% of their course (460nm), so it may well be Eastcoaster's turn to get in first, this year. I am not sure I would really want to lock that in, however, as there are many vagaries of that coast and all the breeze types, tides to conquer yet.

Last year's McConaghy Melbourne Offshore Championship winners, 'Extasea', have accounted for some 40% of the Melbourne to Launceston course and are in the lead. 'Schuss' and 'Akatea' must have a rope tied between each other and they occupy second and third, respectively. 'Belle' and 'Caledonia', who are completing their very first Christmas time ocean race this season, are in behind the leaders.

Interestingly, the smallest boat to depart Port Phillip Heads yesterday was 'Avanale'. She is one foot smaller than 'Godzilla' at 30 feet and she has three boats behind her as the cross Bass Strait on their way to Launceston.

Given that a winner would have to cross the finish line at Low Head by 1100hrs this morning, I think the $1000 for breaking the record is safe until next year. That's good for those holding the cash, but not so good for those who would have liked to put it on the bar tab.