Notice of Race 2009 Sovereign Series Heemskirk Consolidated Melbourne to Hobart “Westcoaster“ Yacht Race HEEMSKIRK CONSOLIDATED M2H.W HOBART WESTCOAST V 1.00 WELCOME TO THE WESTCOASTER Arguably Australia’s most challenging ocean race, the Melbourne Heemskirk Consolidated Melbourne to Hobart starts Queenscli from Portsea Pier on 27th December each year. The Portsea course takes the competitors out of Port Phillip, across Bass Strait, travelling down the rugged West Coast of Tasmania and rounding the southernmost tip of Aus- tralia before heading up the Derwent River to the fin- ish in Hobart. This is a race run for yachties by yachties. It presents Grassy an amazing challenge to the participants and is run with a level of spirit and camaraderie not often seen. There are no fat wallet boats here, just great sailors Stanley working hard to earn the right to wear the yellow cap Low Head of a West Coast racer. Launceston The 480 nautical mile blue-water classic Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race was the brainchild of Stan Gibson from Hobson’s Bay Yacht Club in Melbourne and Dr John Cannon at Derwent Sailing Squadron in Hobart. It was intended as an alternative for Victorian and Hobart South Australian sailors who wanted to be in Hobart for the celebrations but did not want the logistical hassle of getting the boat up to Sydney to compete in the Sydney to Hobart. coast), the South West Cape and Maatsuyker Island to Initially, the new race received widespread criticism Whale Head (the south coast), Whale Head across the because of the fearsome reputation of the west coast bottom of Bruny Island and into Storm Bay and finally of Tasmania. Critics described it as Russian Roulette the Derwent into Hobart. with yachts. However, Stan Gibson had done a study of the weather patterns at the time and convinced The race starts in Bass Strait, a notorious piece of wa- critics that it was not as dangerous as initially believed ter which often experiences strong South Westerlies in its inaugural year of 1972. Now in its 38th year, and at this time of year. Add to this the fact that there are despite the early reservations, the race has proven some tricky currents, especially towards the gap be- to have an enviable safety record due largely to the tween King Island and the North West corner. Most careful management and education programs put in navigators concentrate on when they will arrive at place by the ORCV, a leader in ocean racing safety in the gap and where they should pass through it. This Australia. can significantly affect a boat’s position going into the coast. The race presents in five parts, each with its own chal- lenges. The Bass Strait crossing to the gap between The West Coast proper starts at Cape Grim. Although King Island and the north west corner, the north west the wind is often from the West or North West, there corner (Cape Grim) to the South West Cape (the west are many challenges in this section. This is a wild and 2 Ocean Racing Club of Victoria Inc beautiful part of the world not seen by many sailors. and avoid tempting fate. Past the Friars and the boats Below Maquarie Harbour, we leave the last vestiges enter Storm Bay proper. At this stage you often gain of civilisation behind and don’t rejoin them until we sight of boats in the other race. Tactics vary according reach Bruny Island. to the wind. Most boats will try and keep clear of the The South Coast can often be the highlight of the trip. high headlands along Bruny Island which can often The South West Cape and the South Coast are some throw wind shadows. of the most beautiful areas of the world and the sail The race can be won or lost on the fickle section up across gives you a view of those from a perspective the Derwent River. Ideally no one wants to be caught rarely granted to the land based bush walker. How- in the river at nightfall. Local knowledge can be so ever there can be a cost as you are sailing on the edge valuable here as the Derwent offers the experience of of the Southern Ocean with strong Westerlies driving complex wind patterns and mechanisms. the boats hard from behind and raising massive swells. The warmest of welcomes awaits the finishers at the The main trick in this section is to go south of Maat- Elizabeth Street Pier. It is a point of honour in this race suyker Island, a mark of the course and the furthest that no boat finishes unheralded and many a yachty South the fleet goes. After that there is a feeling that has been roused from the local watering holes or the worst is over and you are heading north again. comfy berth to meet late night or early morning fin- Past Whale Head, the end of the South Coast, the fleet ishers. Somehow a cold slab is always produced no heads north east around Bruny Island and the Friars. matter what the time and the previous finishers raise Some boats with local knowledge have been known three cheers in honour of the crew. to go through the Friars but most tend to go around 2009 Sovereign Series & M2HW (Westcoaster) Notice of Race 3 NOTICE OF RACE THE 2009 HEEMSKIRK CONSOLIDATED MELBOURNE TO HOBART “WESTCOASTER” (M2H-W) YACHT RACE WILL BE CONDUCTED ON THE WATERS OF PORT PHILLIP, BASS STRAIT, THE WEST AND SOUTH COASTS OF TASMANIA, STORM BAY AND THE DERWENT RIVER. OWNERS OF ELIGIBLE BOATS ARE INVITED TO ENTER THIS RACE UNDER THE CONDITIONS OF THIS NOTICE OF RACE. THE RACE IS ORGANISED AND CONDUCTED BY THE OCEAN RACING CLUB OF VICTORIA (ORCV) INC WITH THE CO-OPERATION OF THE DERWENT SAILING SQUADRON. THE PRINCIPAL SPONSOR IS HEEMSKIRK CONSOLIDATED. 1. SOVEREIGN SERIES RACES • Where applicable, the rules and regulations of the Australian Measurement System (AMS) 1.1 Race 1: The Entire Cock of the Bay Yacht Race and the International Rule-Club (IRC) - the IRC The warning signal for the race will be displayed Rules Parts 1, 2 and 3 shall apply; th at 1025 (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) on 26 • The International Regulations for the Preven- December 2009. This is a Category 4 (plus VHF tion of Collisions at Sea; radio) race conducted in Port Phillip between Station Pier and Blairgowrie and Mornington. Except as amended by this Notice of Race and There will be a separate Notice of Race for this the Sailing Instructions for each race. race. 2.2 ORCV reserves the right to amend this Notice 1.2 Race 2: The 2009 Heemskirk Consolidated of Race. Amendments will be published on the Melbourne to Hobart “Westcoaster” Yacht event website (www.orcv.org.au). Race 2.3 By entering this series, the owner of a boat agrees The warning signal for the race will be displayed that this Notice of Race (including amendments) at 1455 (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) on and the entry form, the rules and regulations re- 27th December 2009. This is a Category 2 race ferred to in paragraph 2.1 and the Sailing Instruc- conducted from Portsea through the Heads, tions shall be complied with by the boat and by across Bass Strait, down the West Coast of Tas- the owner. mania, across the South Coast to Storm Bay and 2.4 The Sailing Instructions will be issued through up to Hobart. the event website prior to the race briefing. 1.3 Race 3: The Wrest Point King of the Derwent Yacht Race 3. ELIGIBILITY The warning signal for the race will be signalled 3.1 General at 1255 (Australian Eastern Daylight Time) on 2nd The races are open to monohull yachts of a thor- January 2010. This is a Category 5 race conduct- oughly seaworthy nature, which are entered by ed on the waters of the Derwent River. There will a member of a yacht club recognised by a State be a separate Notice of Race for this race. Yachting Authority. 1.4 The details of courses including marks will be in For Race 2 only: Yachts shall have an LOA of not the Sailing Instructions for each race. less than 8.5 metres, an LWL of not less than 7.3 metres, a displacement of not less than 2,300 kg 2. RULES and a stability index of 110 degrees. 2.1 The race will be governed by the current ver- 3.2 Insurance sions of : The owner of a boat entered in the race shall • The 2009-2012 Racing Rules of Sailing (RRS) of hold a marine legal liability insurance policy with the ISAF, together with the prescriptions and respect to the boat current when racing, with a safety regulations of Yachting Australia (YA); sum insured of not less than A$10 million. • The Special Regulations of the Ocean Racing 3.3 IRC Boats Club of Victoria (ORCV); A boat may only be entered in the IRC Handicap 4 Ocean Racing Club of Victoria Inc Category if the boat: Details may be found in the ORCV Year Book or • has a current, valid IRC Certificate, being an through the ORCV office. Endorsed Certificate issued by RORC; and 3.6 Qualifying Race or Ocean Passage • has been weighed on scales by an RORC ap- A boat shall substantially complete a qualifying proved measurer; and race of not less than 150 nautical miles not more • complies with all of the current IRC Rules and than twelve months before the start of the race.