M2H Update- Jubilation, disappointment and satisfaction

by John Curnow on 31 Dec 2008 The last boat is home from both of the ORCV’s 2008 M2H’s. ‘Pretty Woman’ completed her first M2H East early this morning and with that event, in the headline are THE three words that sum up the last few days of racing.

Jubilation:
The Short family and their TP52 ‘Shortwave’ are probably still all smiles and more than a few jugs into it by now, as they celebrate snatching the Cock of the Bay from ‘XLR8’ and then demolishing the M2H West record. In a year when the TP’s have conquered nearly all before them, this stands as yet another testament, but what is most appealing is that it was all in homage to Matthew’s father, Fred, and like his own upbringing, it was done as a family affair. A lot of us grew up around boats, whether it was cruising or racing, so it is particularly pleasing to see the wheel turn in such a magnificent tribute.

‘Shamrock’ proved that you should never be written off, especially when you’re a worthy competitor. Interestingly, ‘Valheru’ was out again for this year’s S2H after a similar smash saw her written off in 2002! ‘Shamrock won this first M2H East on the normal course and will no doubt be getting faster and more capable as the crew get more time with their boat.

‘Turbo’, the old Adams 12, managed to find wind at exactly the right time and trotted past ‘The Secretary’ to win the M2L. No doubt Joe Adams was upstairs thinking how great it was that his slippery designs are still competitive. The win was certainly impressive enough to get one guest from onboard the start boat ‘Enterprize’ to call me and recount some of his witticisms from the 27th…

Most importantly however, is that all crews are in for tonight’s NYE celebrations and that is not to be overlooked!

Disappointment:
Firstly, to ‘Mocean’ (nee Terra Firma, former S2H handicap winner) who were leading the M2L, before radio issues forced their retirement. This would have been truly devastating, with all sailing gear in running order and out in front, but safety comes first, so no radio – no race.

‘Ninety Seven’ and ‘Addiction’ are going to be this year’s sail maker’s favourites, with both yachts now requiring new ocean mains. It seems ‘Ninety Seven’ was reveling in the conditions afforded it on the West Coaster before a steering cable and then the blown-out main forced them onto a trisail, with the resultant reduction in speed capabilities.

‘Extasea’, last year’s M2H winner on the Rudder Cup Centenary course, seemed to be finding all manner of things to be breaking. Glad I’m not picking up the bill… They are such a strong, competitive crew that I am sure they would be heavy hearted not to have been able to serve it up to ‘Shamrock’ for the whole race, but know they’ll be out fighting fit for Skandia Geelong Week and the Range Series.

Satisfaction:
All racing crews and their shore parties can feel a sense of satisfaction in their achievements. It is never an easy affair to get boats ready at such a busy time of the year and then leave family and loved ones to go face man’s oldest challenge, but such is the draw of the ocean for some of us.

‘Isuzu Marine’ must be very satisfied coming in 2nd on M2H West behind the much newer, larger and faster TP52. Jock and Hamish MacAdie did this year’s race two-handed and no doubt very tired (albeit a short race for the two of them as they won the 2007 Melbourne to Osaka). I know first hand how much fun driving their boat off the breeze and down the waves is, so am sure this would have been sufficient compensation.

A special note as well, for Robin Hewitt and crew of ‘Yoko’ who knocked over their 27th M2H in a row! WooHoo!

Finally then, the ORCV must have a sense of both jubilation and satisfaction at all that has been done. For the very first time they got three races away. Simon Dryden, Race Director M2H and Dennis Livingstone M2L, deserve all praises for the professionalism, sense of fun and safety that all events were held under. The two of them started both the Cock of the Bay and M2H/M2L before boarding planes to get to Hobart and Launceston, respectively. George Shaw, ORCV Commodore who was out doing M2L with his boat, ‘The Secretary’, has been delighted with the smiles he has seen around the fleets. 'This is a tremendous year and we could not be happier,' George commented earlier. 'All boats are in, safe and the only small issue with ‘Myuna’ was managed well and with the on-shore medical assistance and on-board nurse, our patient merely required a little observation when he got in,' was George’s last statement before he completed handing out some of the red he had lost in bets this year.

The current status of the results mean there is a lot riding on the King of the Derwent race on January 2, 2009. For the West Coasters Sovereign Series, the IRC and AMS divisions are a three-way tussle between ‘Tevake II’, the giant killer ‘Godzilla’ and ‘Isuzu Marine’. In PHS it is ultra-close for ‘Spirit of Downunder’, ‘Magazan 53’ with Alexander McGuigan the 16 year-old racer on the bow and ‘Godzilla’.

Over on M2H East and their Salamanca Series, the IRC division has ‘Geomatic Joker’, ‘Under Capricorn’ and ‘Extasea’ all well placed to see a series win. In AMS it is the former two that are deadlocked. Interestingly in PHS, ‘Pretty Woman’ is a distinct chance in her very first year. We hope this encourages others to get into ocean racing. She’ll be battling it out with ‘Chikara Outlaw’, ‘Ocean Skins’ and ‘Ingenue’.

As highlighted previously, the King of the Derwent relies very heavily on local knowledge of wind and tide, so I hope the new-to-the-event crews are scouring the bars for knowledge… (and finding someone coherent enough to help them).

So if you’re in Hobart on January 2nd, find a vantage point and watch the racing unfold, for the crews are sure to be keen to get a good placing and secure the grand result for either the Sovereign or Salamanca Series.

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