ORCV's C**k of the Bay entry closing soon

9:36 PM Sat 13 Dec 2008 GMT

'The Entire Cock of the Bay fleet on the start line - 26 Dec 2007' Sail-World.com /AUS &copy

Since 1973, the ORCV has run the somewhat unfortunately named, Cock of the Bay. For a single yacht race it attracts one of the largest keelboat fleets in the country.

First may well be first and it is always an important place to be, but in our PC times (politically correct) and with the proliferation of PCs on the Net (personal computers), the name itself is the source of much conjecture and discussion - even difficulty. Also and very thankfully, there are now far more women involved in yachting, so the title has even less relevance. By way of example, 'Shortwave' has one wife and four daughters on board.

Come Boxing Day, however, none of this matters at all. There are already 70 entries, which is well on the way to 110 and breaking last year's record as it goes. Entries close on 19 December, so make sure you're in for this big event.

Melbourne as backdrop to the fleet - Cock of the Bay - John Curnow

The course itself is a marvellous journey down Melbourne's Port Phillip Bay from Station Pier in Port Melbourne to the delightful Blairgowrie on the renowned Mornington Peninsula. Depending on weather conditions, it can be a straight, warm run, a cold slam or in no breeze, more like the artful dodger, as you weave your way down the shoreline, passing Brighton, Black Rock and Beaumaris in the process. Be careful to miss the notorious and windless hole of the Carrum Bite, as you pass. Of course, at this time of year the weather can vary so much, that it can even be all of the above and more - (multiple answer option D for those looking to pass the test at the end). Whilst only 34nm, you may need to cover a lot more ground than that, as you can see from the description. To be the Cock, you'll need to be able to last some at least 4 to 8 hours.

The Cock of the Bay is both a feeder for the M2H and M2L races and at Category 4, a great way to get a lot of Bay sailors involved in the sport's busiest period. It is also the first leg of the Rudder Cup Series (M2L), The Sovereign Series (M2H West) and The Salamanca Series (M2H East). Already there are some great entrants, who will no doubt be looking to be the all-important Cock. Out at the front of the fleet; look for 'Extasea', 'Shamrock' and 'XLR8' to be having a grand old battle. The former is the DK46 that won last year's Rudder Cup and M2H, against the latter two Reichel Pugh 46s. The TP52, 'Shortwave', will be hard to knock over in almost any weather conditions for sure, but the venerable Adams 20, Helsal II, will be able to put all 67 feet to good use in a strong Westerly or Northerly. One of the newest boasts out there will be the just-launched and very aptly named indeed, 'Belle' - a Simonis-Voogd IY60. Even if she just motors down, she will still get the prize for prettiest boat. 'Belle' will also have the tallest stick on the day and therefore be easy to locate.

If there is no breeze on Boxing Day, then 'Smooth Criminal' (RP36) and 'Godzilla' (Hick 31) may well be the giant killers. These two have already demonstrated their abilities in fewer than 5 knots. One boat that won't move very well in those conditions however, is the all steel MW50, 'Yoko'. She and her crew are very notable this year however, as she will be undertaking her 27th consecutive Cock of the Bay and M2H West Coaster. This is a truly remarkable and commendable effort. Well done to Robin Hewitt and his crew.

Jock and Hamish Macadie will be going 2up on 'Isuzu Marine'. Their Jones/Hart 14 is water ballasted and can drive downhill like a boat well above her size.

In the IRC Division, it will be hard to determine between 'Extasea', 'Shamrock' or even 'Belle' and the well-rated, smaller boats like 'How Bizarre' and 'Vapour Trail'. Weather, almost as much as tactics will decide that one. For Performance Handicap Division, the likes of 'The Bookmaker', 'Yoko', 'Magazan 53' and 'Ocean Skins' deserve a comment.

The Cock of the Bay is proudly sponsored by the Entire Group, a fire services organisation. No doubt they'll be required to put a few flames out after this article gets posted.