Melbourne to King Island 2013 yachts into Bass Strait
by Stephanie Juleff on 9 Mar 2013
Primitive Cool heading to the start - ORCV Melbourne to King Island Robert Pollock
The 2013 Melbourne to King Island Race has started on schedule in a light easterly breeze.
As predicted by race directors Scarlet Runner, the largest competitor in this year’s race, has taken its place at the head of the fleet, clear of the heads and set in for the Bass Strait journey.
Jazz Player, eXtasea, Wicked and Chikara Outlaw are making the chase from almost two nautical miles behind.
Addiction will be looking to maintain its current position at the head of AMS and PBH handicaps, Alien close behind in both those divisions but so far at the top in IRC. Bacardi rounds out the leading group for PBH, Chikara Outlaw running third in AMS, and eXtasea and Halcyon filling out the top three in the IRC division.
Addiction skipper, Richard McGarvie was reportedly happy to be at the 'pointy end of the fleet' and looking forward to continuing the 'champagne sailing'.
All crews are now out into Bass Strait travelling at speeds of around 6 knots, predominantly sticking close to the rhumb line.
It looks like a fairly calm night ahead.
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