Melbourne to Launceston and Hobart - Finishers and some still at sea

by John Curnow on 28 Dec 2010 The Melbourne to Launceston race has had 10 boats finish, as of 6.30pm. Ninety Seven, Seven, Ocean Skins, Halcyon, No Fearr, White Noise, Mirrabooka, Midnight Rambler, Upbeat and Under Capricorn. The latter is important to note for they are one of the pair of two-handed crews that are out competing in an ORCV event this summer.

All are talking about the washing machine like state of Bass Strait this year, but thankfully they had a good, strong Sou'Westerlies to push them in to the delightful top of Tasmania. No doubt plenty of the region's fine wines and food are being consumed currently. Five boats are left to complete and at this time, they range from the middle of the night to around 10am, tomorrow morning, due to softening breezes.

The Westcoaster race to Hobart has Gusto abeam of Strahan with Icefire, Spirit of Downunder and Carpe Diem in behind her. It's really good to see the latter, one of our South Australian entries doing so well. Back at Hunter Island atop the North West corner of Tasmania is the other two-handed crew of The Secretary. The conditions are very mild Nor'westers of about 7 knots, Gusto reported. they are not under threat from any of the other boats in their race, as they have at least 30nm over Icefire. Gusto have travelled about 200nm of their 440, where as Goldfinger have covered around 300nm of their 460. This difference, along with the softer breezes they are experiencing means Gusto do have a job ahead of them.

Also on the West coast is Audacious. From onboard, Greg Clinnick informs us, 'Glad to hear we got some TV coverage yesterday. Luke is hoping the young ladies of Hobart realise he is a celebrity and want to hang around for an autograph.' We'll definitely try to do our best for him with that.

Over on Eastcoaster, Goldfinger in the St Helens area, leading the race to Hobart from XLR8 and Veloce. More breeze expected this evening as they head down the East coast and this will suit all three vessels at is from the North to Nor'east, possibly ranging up to 25 knots. That is bound to kick them along handsomely. Goldfinger is now very much in contention to create a new Eastcoaster record. The previous mark, set in 2008 by the Reichel Pugh 46 Shamrock that is a near identical vessel to XLR8, is 2 days, 18 hours, 32 minutes and 54 seconds. From onboard, Dean Robson sent this information earlier, 'Last night was a good sail, with a top speed of 16.7 knots and we got a sustained surf of 15.5kn for well over a minute. You can sure cover distance with speeds like that!

'It has been a very trying morning and afternoon. We parked for about an hour over lunch time, with XLR8 and Veloce looming in the distance and making good speed. About 1:30pm, we got some breeze from the Sou'west and pulled heaps of distance out of them, while they stayed parked. Just popped a kite now (3pm), halfway between Flinders Island and the top of Tassie. Heading out to sea on starboard gybe with 13kn breeze doing 10kn of boat speed, bit of current against us. It's a lovely sunny day - fashion stakes have been raised with a variety of thermals and shorts being displayed for a while. Breeze is a bit cool though...', Dean finished with.

Back a bit further North and just rounding Outer Sister Island at the top of Flinders Island in Eastern Bass Strait, is Escapade. They have had a chance to get a great meal together - 'Greek salad, dolomaides and pickled octopus, washed down with a glass (just the one) of red', said Robert Bradley. 'Breeze has just start to fill in from the Nor'east in the last hour and we have about 5 - 7 knots NE at present.' As we signed off, I learned that Escapade is now doing 8.1 knots of boat speed, so the breeze has arrived for now.

Melbourne to Launceston race click here

Melbourne to Hobart races click Website