The mandatory pre-race weather briefing for the ORCV blue-water classic Wyndham Harbour Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster and Rudder Cup Melbourne to Devonport ocean yacht races was conducted at 10:00am this morning at Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron.
The Wyndham Harbour Cock of the Bay race yesterday is the first race in the following three race series of events:
Sovereign Series
- Wyndham Harbour Cock of the Bay
- Wyndham Harbour Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster ocean race
- King of the Derwent
Bass Strait Series
- Wyndham Harbour Cock of the Bay
- Rudder Cup Melbourne to Devonport
- Top of the Island race
The 20-30 knot winds the fleet experienced yesterday in the Wyndham Harbour Cock of the Bay race was stronger than what is forecast for the duration of the blue-water classic ocean races. That breeze resulted from the cold front that passed over Melbourne yesterday. , the
For the start off Portsea Pier at 3:00pm this afternoon, we are expecting Southerly winds of 10 to 15 knots.
The Weather Situation for Central Victorian Coastal Waters sees a high pressure system centred over the Bight will move slowly over the next two to three days, extending a ridge across southern Victoria and Bass Strait. For the remainder of Sunday, the forecast is for Southwesterly winds of 10 to 15 knots, reaching up to 20 knots in the east in the morning. Winds turning southerly in the evening and expected to decrease in strength over the next few days.
Very pleasant conditions are expected for the duration of both races. The fleets will experience moderate head winds for the first 12 or so hours, with nothing more than 20 knots of breeze. Then Tacticians and Navigators will be tested in the light and moderate winds forecast for the duration of the races.
Race Director Simon Dryden mentioned the only problem he had with the forecast is that he will not be sailing in the very pleasant conditions.
Links to Yacht Trackers for both races is available on the ORCV Website.
– ORCV Media
