Your best pair of Shorts go sailing

10:33 PM Tue 19 May 2009 GMT

'Will Matt Allen bring ’Ichi Ban’ out of mothballs in Newcastle for the 2010 M2V? - Melbourne to Vanuatu' John Curnow Click Here to view large photo

Andrew Short showed up for the Portsea start of the inaugural Ocean Racing Club of Victoria Melbourne to Vanuatu in 2006 with his VO60, 'Andrew Short Marine'. NOR2, the old 'Kvaerner' then 'Djuice' trialhorse, went on to get Line Honours and as such, holds the record for this 1885nm haul up North into the delightful Coral Sea.

Now just last year, his Brother Matthew and a whole cast of the extended family, smashed the Melbourne to Hobart West record by over five hours. No mean feat in itself. It was also over a day shorter than the last time he did it as kid with his Mum and Dad and two of his Brothers, so that really is something.

Well then, the question becomes which of his boats Andrew will bring to the 2010 Melbourne to Vanuatu (M2V) and will Matthew bring his TP52 'Shortwave' to have a go at his Brother's record? I do not know. Let's hope both of them enter, as it is clear that the M2V is going to become a genuine long-haul classic like the Cape to Rio and the TransPac. It's also a really good way to get the boat up to Northern latitudes ready for Hamilton Island. So much so that the first entries are already in!

Could we in fact see the Lutra 80, currently under construction at McConaghys, on the start line as a way to get closer to its home in the Med? It would be tremendous to have a pocket maxi like 'Loki', 'Limit', 'Black Jack' or 'Wild Oats X' take it on. And then what a treat seeing one of the one hundreds would be too.

Anyway, for the rest of us our only question to ask is how to get that much time off work to go and enjoy all this fun. It isn't just limited to the race either. There's amazing scenery, beaches and diving once you get there. History abounds, especially as there was a lot of WWII activity here. Reputably the world's largest most accessible wreck, the 'SS President Coolidge' is just 50m off shore, for instance.

She was then scuttled just 50m from the shore and is today a most accessible and lively underwater attraction. Just more reasons to get there in 2010. - Melbourne to Vanuatu - John Curnow

WWII Histroy abounds in the area... - Melbourne to Vanuatu - John Curnow

The ORCV's 20Ten Melbourne to Vanuatu Race is starting at 12noon on Sunday July 4, 2010. You can find the Notice Of Race at (www.orcv.org.au/index.php?option=com_content&;view=article&id=750:2010m2vnor&catid=160:forthcoming-races) or if you're dead keen already, email race.director@orcv.org.aunow and get fully fired up for the great race.

There will be more information posted here and on orcv.org.au, as it becomes available.

’Andrew Short Marine’ won Line Honours in the inaugural M2V of 2006 in the VO60 seen here at anchor in Port Vila. - Melbourne to Vanuatu - John Curnow Click Here to view large photo

by John Curnow