Melbourne to Hobart races - Handicaps and milestones

by John Curnow on 30 Dec 2010 Melbourne to Hobart Eastcoaster and Westcoaster update.

Thursday is a big day for the Melbourne to Hobart as the main part of the fleet arrives.

With it comes the ability to accurately review the handicap positions.

For the Westcoaster, Enchantress from the Royal South Australian Yacht Squadron, has celebrated its 60th birthday with a win in all of the handicap categories. So that's International Rule - Club, Australian Measurement System and Performance Handicap System. What a great effort for their very first attempt at the challenging Westcoaster.

'We are just a small crew and we had spinnakers up when we could, kept working the ourselves and the boat as hard as we could muster and are delighted with the outcome. It is great to be here', said John Muirhead, who is the owner/skipper/designer and builder of the vessel.

Also completing the Westcoaster race are George Shaw and Robyn Brooke sailing two-handed aboard, The Secretary. They have had a lot of issues up the mast and in the engine room to contend with as well as the strong winds.

'It's taken a lot out of us and we're pretty tired. The West coast has made sure we've worked hard', said George. They should be finished by 3.30pm.

Yoko has completed her 29th consecutive Westcoaster and sailing aboard her is Trevor Huggard who has now finished 30 Westcoasters. 'Delighted to be here, yet again! There's got to be an explanation and I guess it is just that I love doing this race. It's like a Grand Final - the sense of occasion, camaraderie and no two races have ever been the same. Once you start this race, you have to finish, as there really aren't any other options.'

Eastcoaster IRC results stand as per yesterday, with the first three boats in to Hobart taking the prized IRC podium.

Phil Simpfendorfer took out the category, as indeed he had done the year before. 'We had a great race and must have swapped positions with XLR8 a dozen times. We got close to Goldfinger, but they always managed to skip away when the breeze returned. Really loved the race and it was a quick run. Just love it', was how Phil summed it up.

ORCV click here