Melbourne to Hobart - Rock hopping on the West Coast

by Jennifer McGuigan on 29 Dec 2009
The Melbourne to Hobart West Coast fleet have been enjoying consistent breezes today and are currently inshore taking advantage of the sea breeze effect before nightfall. Overnight the wind is predicted to drop away to very light southerlies before filling in again tomorrow with a prediction of a turn to the north.

Peter Cox’s Icefire is continuing to lead the fleet but is less than three miles from Jazz Player and Spirit of Downunder. All three would be close enough to critique each other’s sail trims and dinner. Andrew Lawrence skipper of Jazz Player, having owned the boat for three seasons, now is really showing the benefits of training and a steady crew. Laurie Ford on Spirit is one of the most experienced skippers around and a gentleman to boot but he will be competitive to the end. Overnight if the weather acts as predicted you would expect Jazz Player and even Audacious, currently in fifth, to be best able to take advantage of the conditions.

Richard McGarvie on Addiction has been in a neck a neck battle today with Beyond Outrageous, Tony Warren at the helm. Addiction has just managed to sneak in front at this time. McGarvie did report that they are currently in 20 knots from the south west and that they had a heart quickening moment when they were joined by a spouting whale. ‘The crew have all had a great days sailing. We have worked very hard to get ahead. No sea sickness, happy lovely sunny sailing off spectacular wild west coast.’

Across on the east the competition is equally fierce, Tony Fowler’s Ocean Skins holding a narrow, some would say negligible lead from Phil Simpfendorfer on Veloce and Ray Shaw on XLR8.

Rosie Colahan and husband David James are sailing two handed to Hobart on Ingenue. They are currently in front on performance handicap. It is almost impossible to count the amount of ocean miles these two have between them, being veterans of both the Melbourne Osaka and Melbourne Vanuatu races. Rosie reported, ‘ We haven’t been able to call as we have had our hands full. We had 25 knot westerly across Banks Strait and needed to put a reef in. Then nothing. We had to put the code zero up but had a great sighting of an albino dolphin in company of two other ones.’ Experience has taught these two that just because you are sailing you don’t have to be uncomfortable or hungry, the menu today included artichoke and ham lasagne for lunch and lamb rogan josh for dinner.

The east coast fleet is expecting the breeze to fill in tonight and going to the north, they can expect a bumpy night but the wind will be welcome.

The first boats are predicted to start to arrive at Elizabeth Street pier by 1pm tomorrow. The race is on to see which side they will come from.

Update: Roger Wale's 'Pretty Woman' has retired from the Eastcoaster race. All onboard are well. There has been an electrical circuit failure and they have decided to continue on to Hobart as a motor/sailor.