Strong winds across north-western Tasmania have contributed to a spectacular beginning for the inaugural Navigator Dash ocean racing challenge between Devonport and Melbourne.
Strong winds across north-western Tasmania have contributed to a spectacular beginning for the inaugural Navigator Dash ocean racing challenge between Devonport and Melbourne.
Two of Australia's fastest ocean racing yachts, Australian Skandia Wild Thing and Merit Navigator, set out along Devonport's Mersey River early this morning:
- Merit Navigator left at 00.45.04
- AS Wild Thing left at 02.40.57
With their spinnakers up, the yachts will make the most of the strong winds, now confident of smashing the benchmark of 19 hours, 32 minutes, 58 seconds set by Jo Westerlo's Prowler in 1998.
Merit Navigator is currently averaging at 12.09 knots with Australian Skandia Wild Thing hot on their trail averaging 13.45 knots. A recent update suggests that Australian Skandia Wild Thing is currently travelling at 17 knot and are 123 nautical miles from Port Phillip heads. They are expected to cross the heads around 3pm this afternoon with arrival at Station Pier around 6pm today.
The 40 foot yacht Beyond outrageous left Devonport at 8.45.28pm last night and is currently doing 7.46 knots. They are expected in around 9pm this evening.
Race director, John Duffin, said the yachts had set out in darkness and their white sails in the background made an impressive sight.
With high winds prevailing, expectations are high that a new record will be set for the Bass Strait crossing.
"Now things are going to get exciting. We have three yachts racing against the clock. Everyone at Mersey Yacht Club and the Royal Victoria Yacht Club are looking forward to some very impressive times from the two maxis," said John
Both Merit Navigator and Australian Skandia Wild Thing - Australia's largest maxi, have a strong chance of slicing time off the existing record.
The yachts will need to navigate across Bass Strait and move through the heads of Port Phillip Bay, race across to Melbourne's Station Pier, and then sail to the home of the Royal Yacht Club of Victoria in Williamstown.
Royal Yacht Club of Victoria commodore Colin Johnston said it was feasible, based on current wind conditions, that the first yacht could reach the heads of Port Phillip Bay by late afternoon and be at Station Pier by early evening.
"We expect the current group of yachts to make the crossing in around 12 to 14 hours given the weather conditions and the fact that they are fast ocean racing vessels," he said.
-ends-
For further information please contact:
Craig Rattray - Royal Yacht Club of Victoria on 0412 543 227
Bernadette Collins - Navigator on 03 9829 8818
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