The 2016 Ocean Classic
aka the Dirk Hartog Race and Cruise.
16th of October 2016
Despite the shift of the starting date, it was a pleasure to be invited out on a friends boat to witness the start of the Ocean Classic. As no offers had been made to go out to photograph the start, I was looking forward to getting the garden into shape, but when the offer was made, I took it up.
Arriving on the course, we had around thirty boats in various guises setting up for the race and it was a welcome sight as the offshore season over winter had been a little light on , or so I've been told. With 20+ boats signed up for the run up the coast and a good number of rally boats the start line was going to be full the first time around.
In a south easterly of about 6 to 10 knots, the dash to the pin end had all the heroes of yore lined up with Indian aiming just above the pin itself and Dirty Deeds trying to sit on her from above. Below Indian was Circa and she was truly going to skim the pin on the way past. Well above them, the major part of the fleet had their own battles and Garth had WotWS lurking in the background, knowing that his superior length would give him speed when he wanted it.
And away they went and it clear that Indian had the ability to climb out and above DD as they roared off from the start. It wasn't long before Craig Carters Indian with Paul Eldrid at the helm was in clear air and was pointing higher and higher. At this point we headed off for the 1st mark to catch them as they rounded. Sure enough along came Indian and there were several moments before the next boat Paul Arn's Obsession hit the corner and then along came Garths Walk on the Wild Side, powering through the fleet.
The run to the turning mark was set for a tight reach and some could run a tight kite and some elected not to. After viewing a few yachts going past, we slipped through the fleet and took a look at the returning boats. Only two elected to come up toward us immediately, Indian and WotWS. The rest ran along the coast, but we already knew what Garth and Paul knew. The sou westerly was beginning and the need was to get out to sea.
And the rest of the fleet began to turn their heads toward us and eventually all the racers were heading in the same direction, with kites in evidence and the pace starting to pick up.
My thanks to Brian Cross who provided the boat for the morning and the company of Simon, Dave and Andy. The food and beverages were great.
Other images will be put up shortly, this is the quick cut.
Arriving on the course, we had around thirty boats in various guises setting up for the race and it was a welcome sight as the offshore season over winter had been a little light on , or so I've been told. With 20+ boats signed up for the run up the coast and a good number of rally boats the start line was going to be full the first time around.
In a south easterly of about 6 to 10 knots, the dash to the pin end had all the heroes of yore lined up with Indian aiming just above the pin itself and Dirty Deeds trying to sit on her from above. Below Indian was Circa and she was truly going to skim the pin on the way past. Well above them, the major part of the fleet had their own battles and Garth had WotWS lurking in the background, knowing that his superior length would give him speed when he wanted it.
And away they went and it clear that Indian had the ability to climb out and above DD as they roared off from the start. It wasn't long before Craig Carters Indian with Paul Eldrid at the helm was in clear air and was pointing higher and higher. At this point we headed off for the 1st mark to catch them as they rounded. Sure enough along came Indian and there were several moments before the next boat Paul Arn's Obsession hit the corner and then along came Garths Walk on the Wild Side, powering through the fleet.
The run to the turning mark was set for a tight reach and some could run a tight kite and some elected not to. After viewing a few yachts going past, we slipped through the fleet and took a look at the returning boats. Only two elected to come up toward us immediately, Indian and WotWS. The rest ran along the coast, but we already knew what Garth and Paul knew. The sou westerly was beginning and the need was to get out to sea.
And the rest of the fleet began to turn their heads toward us and eventually all the racers were heading in the same direction, with kites in evidence and the pace starting to pick up.
My thanks to Brian Cross who provided the boat for the morning and the company of Simon, Dave and Andy. The food and beverages were great.
Other images will be put up shortly, this is the quick cut.
This is the 2nd cut from the start line and I'd like to congratulate Indian for their first over the line, Dirty Deeds for their 1st in IRC over all and IRC and of course Giddy Up in their wins in IRC 2 and ORC 2. But the real story is Peter Vlaars great race in a boat that's older than several of the combatants in the race . Recently he bought Freo Doctor a 50 ft. Lexen and filled it up with his usual crew. And then stormed home to be fourth over the line, 4 hrs and 15 minutes behind first over the line Indian, taking first in the ORCi Overall and 1st in the ORC 1. Shows that old salts are the blokes to sail with on the Gero. Well done Pete and crew!