2009 Melbourne Latitude Series - It’s good work

by John Curnow on 22 Nov 2009
2009 Melbourne Latitude Series, Bass Strait Race.

When you can get it, that is.

Kevin Robinson and the gang on 'No Fearr' were the first to cross the finish line of the 2009 Melbourne Latitude Series, Bass Strait Race. It’s also a great result for the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria’s principal sponsor, Heemskirk Consolidated, as their CEO was the driver.

It is also fantastic that some of Kevin's crew, who were going out to get more ocean experience, did not have to face too much of Bass Strait this time. That super-soft Southeasterly, which turned NorEast as it built, did get them back to the Heads before slack water, however. Kevin commented over the radio that the strongish NorEaster and the remnants of the Ebb tide, 'Sure did make it interesting!' A lot better than a huge SouWester confronting the outgoing tide thankfully...
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One of the best things about the Melbourne Latitude Series is that the way they finish, is the way they stand on the podium. This is because each boat's turning latitude has been calculated out based on their handicap.

	2009 Melbourne Latitude Series
	Provisional Results Race 1, held on 21/11/2009
Division 123 PHS results Start : 06:30:00
Place	Boat Name	Sail No	Skipper	Fin Tim	Elapsd
1	NO FEARR	B3	Kevin Robinson	12:27:36	5:57:36
2	SPIRIT OF FREYA	B5903	Joanne Harpur	12:39:02	6:09:02
3	REMEDY	S62	Burggraaf Hibbert	12:49:25	6:19:25
4	ESCAPADE	H538	Robert Bradley	12:49:49	6:19:49
5	THE SECRETARY	6107	George Shaw	12:51:04	6:21:04
6	YOKO	R186	Robin Hewitt	12:53:28	6:23:28
7	ALLEGRESSE	B350	Kathryn De Garis	12:54:42	6:24:42
8	SCHUSS	B63	Denis McConnell	13:00:35	6:30:35
9	CHIKARA OUTLAW	S770	Joanne Norbury	13:01:45	6:31:45
10	SPIRIT OF DOWNUNDER	R1200	Laurie Ford	13:07:46	6:37:46
11	SPINDRIFT	B280	Stuart Lyon	13:14:32	6:44:32
12	EMMA-KATE	B39	Rodney Watson	13:18:49	6:48:49
13	HARMONY	H97	Stephen Cheney	13:52:14	7:22:14

Given that the Melbourne Latitude Series is about training for the ocean, it is wonderful that second went to Joanne Harpur. She bought ‘Spirit of Freya’ not that long ago after doing really well in the last MLS.

The first 'newbie' Skipper home was Kathryn De Garis on her ‘Allegresse’. At one time they looked like they might just get on the podium, but had to take seventh with a time of 12:54:42. No doubt that result will just add to their motivation to come out and do more.

The fleet finished and headed straight for a drink with our hosts, the Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron, just a little further along the picturesque Mornington peninsula.

The BYS to Sandringham Yacht Club (back in suburban Melbourne) Pursuit Race kicks off today in a stronger breeze, which should enable the bigger boats to stretch their legs out somewhat.