The city of Melbourne is a sports mecca in summer and fans were treated to a sporting spectacle today with a 100-boat fleet competing in the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria’s Cock of the Bay Yacht Race.
The stunning summer sunshine provided a picturesque backdrop for the race which started in a 5 to10 knot building breeze on Port Phillip in Victoria.
Alex Toomey and Andrew Hibbert’s Sayer 12, Ryujin, sailing in the double-handed division, had a brilliant start, showing the class of the proven performers from the Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron.
Chris Jackson’s Sydney 38, Shining Sea and Damian Thomas’s Cape 31 OD, PP1 sportsboat gave the bigger boats a run for their money off the start line, taking advantage of the light conditions on the Bay.
But as predicted, the day belonged to Damien King, with his Frers 61 MRV, setting a new record finishing the race in under three hours, shaving 1 hour and 13 mins off the race record. Seasoned sailor, King and his internationally renowned crew, picked the conditions from the start, taking the pin end, and led the fleet for most of the race.
Gerry Cantwell’s Marten 49, Carrera S, finished in second place across the line, followed by Rob Date’s Carkeek 43, Scarlet Runner.
The Cock of the Bay Yacht Race serves as a lead-in for the 50th anniversary Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race which starts on Tuesday 27 December at 12 noon from Portsea Pier.
After today’s result, MRV is shaping up as the firm favourite to take line honours in the anniversary race, despite strong competition from a quality fleet.
The updated forecast for the 50th anniversary Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race is for light northerly winds for the start building for a fast spinnaker run to King Island, before a strong westerly comes in.
The fleet will hunker down for the run down the West Coast of Tasmania before encountering light airs rounding Maatsuyker Island and then into a head wind for the finish.
Close to 50 boats are expected on the start line of the anniversary race to Hobart on Tuesday.
For Entry, Notice of Race and List of Entries for the Cock of the Bay Yacht, please visit: https://www.orcv.org.au/sailing/races/boxingday-dash-cock-of-the-bay
For Entry, Notice of Race and List for Entries for the Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race, please click here:
