Melbourne to Hobart Eastcoaster - They're in!

2:36 AM Wed 30 Dec 2009 GMT

'Over the line they went this morning and claimed a great victory in the process. - Heemskirk Consolidated Melbourne to Hobart' John Curnow/ORCV

Winners are grinners all right - and this is no more so than for Tony Fowler today, owner of 'Ocean Skins' - the winner of the Heemskirk Consolidated Melbourne to Hobart Eastcoaster.

Also, as the first boat in from either race, he also wins what I have euphemistically called the 'Red Wine Cup' for winning the 2009 M2H race, no matter which route taken in the East v West battle, which last year was taken out by the Westcoasters. I am so glad I called the Eastcoasters as the likely winners this year and that the 'dark horse in white', which is a certain 'Ocean Skins', got up for the big win.

Champagne sailing this morning on Hobart’s Derwent River - Heemskirk Consolidated Melbourne to Hobart - John Curnow/ORCV

Tony really wanted this one and now he has it, which was the first thing he wanted to say to the armada of press here to greet him. They crossed the line at 9:53:46, about 1.5nm ahead of Phil Simpfendorfer's 'Veloce', which then crossed at 10:02:15.

As you'll see from the pics it is fantastic, champagne sailing out there. 5-10knots, barely a ripple and huge sun - wicked.

'Veloce' fought all the way and are miles ahead on IRC. well done on taking it right up to them all the way. it made for great stories and 1.5nm at the end is a rare result in ocean racing indeed.

Very focussed on the line, which at this stage was a few miles up ahead - Heemskirk Consolidated Melbourne to Hobart - John Curnow/ORCV

A bare 1.5nm separated them - after a 460nm - that’s pretty good. - Heemskirk Consolidated Melbourne to Hobart - John Curnow/ORCV

Veloce saw the opposition go over the line, but they kept going and reduced the gap by as much as they could - Heemskirk Consolidated Melbourne to Hobart - John Curnow/ORCV

till working all the way into the finish line, as they only had a few minutes on ’Veloce’ and they wanted to ensure the result - well and truly. - Heemskirk Consolidated Melbourne to Hobart - John Curnow/ORCV

www.orcv.org.au

by John Curnow