Melbourne Two Handed - Don't ya just hate it...

by John Curnow on 3 May 2010 ... when everyone talks it up a treat and then the cold front arrives, but almost with the same alacrity, it just simply disappeared from Melbourne's Port Phillip.

The very experienced two-handed sailor, Robin Hewitt (who has two Melbourne to Osaka races under his belt), was the day's Race Director from the tower at Royal Brighton Yacht Club (RBYC). He tells us 'It was a pleasant morning, with a slight sea and a gentle 10 knots greeted the fleet as they prepared for the annual workout. This race is not only a test of sailing skills, but also the ability to pace oneself, in order to accomplish the tasks ahead.

Ominous clouds to the West Sou'West heralded the forecasted frontal system, which was due to pass Melbourne by midday. For once, it actually arrived early with the breeze increasing from the Nor'West and freshening to 23 knots.'

Course Number Two was selected, which started the fleet to the South with the breeze swinging to the West at the same time. Adams Rib clearly won the start, with Audacious in behind them.

On returning from RBYC's Number Six Mark, which is down towards Sandringham, The Secretary passed in front of the tower, slightly ahead of Fuzzy Logic. Tucked in there too, was Wicked. A number of crews, like The Secretary, were using the race as further preparation for the upcoming Melbourne to Vanuatu event on July 4th.

After passing the tower, Swordfish Trombone and Imagineer tacked left, whilst the others went right. At half an hour into the race, the wind dropped to 16 knots, just as Emma-Kate went on the breeze, out towards the mark, R2 (Recreational Mark #2). Wicked was first to finish the starting lap, as the breeze steadied to around 10 knots, where it then stayed for the remainder of the race for them and the leaders, apart from a couple of lulls down to six knots and occasional flicks a little to North and South of due West. On the second lap, Wicked maintained her lead from Fuzzy Logic, but less than a minute separated them and they were just another minute ahead of Audacious.

'The fleet had now separated into three groups, with Wild Side out on her own. Her zebra styled asymmetrical spinnaker helped in ensuring everyone knew she was out there on her own, as well. Not far behind the leaders and sailing well in the main group was Godzilla, while the lighter breeze was not helping the heavier boats like The Secretary and Spirit. Cool Change completed the second lap in three and a quarter hours, in spite of the lulls. Esprit was in fierce competition in that third group, too.

By 1440hrs, the breeze was trying to give up and the last of the fleet suffered a measly five knots, which meant the earlier finishers were just looking better and better for the glassware. It was then just three knots by 1500hrs and zero at 1545!!! There was some discussion as to whether Second to None was complying, but Robin decided that four paws did not actually constitute extra hands. Try pulling ropes with paws or hooves!

Robin added of the whole day, 'As the saying goes ‘Any mug can sail a yacht when there is wind, it takes real sailors to sail a yacht in no wind!' Thus, to those who persevered; Fade 2 Grey, Ocean Safari, Esprit, Imagineer and Cool Change, we say, Well Done! We were wishing you on from the tower.' Adams Rib, Emma-Kate and Spirit retired and Thunder did not start.

In the end, Wicked got to the line ahead of Fuzzy Logic and then Swordfish Trombone. IRC was Wicked, Wild Side and third, Swordfish Trombone. In the Australian Measurement Category, it was Godzilla, Swordfish Trombone and Wild Side as 1-2-3, where as the performance category was Godzilla, Wicked and then Remedy.

The full results table is available at http://www.orcv.org.au/results/2009/2010MDH/series.htm