7:56 AM Thu 4 Mar 2010 GMT
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'Last years winner and current record holder, Mad Max. - APC Logistics Marlay Point Overnight Race'
John Curnow
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The 42nd running of this iconic event is set for 1945hrs on Saturday, March 6, 2010. All types of trailable, sport and multihull vessels make their way to Victoria's Gippsland Lakes each year to stay up all night and often get very cold and somewhat wet.
This year, 165 boats will get underway in the APC Logistics Marlay Point Overnight Race, with 12 multihulls amongst them. It's an all-in start and Lake Wellington Yacht Club Secretary, John Shepard, tells me 'You would want to look out for a couple of the fast monohulls this year, as well'.
Last year, a certain well-known flyer, Mad Max, took the record with an elapsed time of 3:43:15. The approximately 60nm course takes competitors from Marlay Point in Lake Wellington, through Lake Victoria around Raymond Island in Lake King, to the finish in Paynesville.
By the way, that's good enough to a 16knot average! The next boat was just six minutes behind and then there was almost two hours before third arrived.
Unfortunately for the crew, the record was not enough to get them the handicap win, which eluded them by just five seconds. Little wonder they are back this time with a clear 'Three hours or bust strategy', which follows on from their win in the Nationals late last year, amongst many other podiums and guns.
John Shepard commented that it is 'Unique sailing in the dark and little bit different each year, so that's why they continue to come along. We have just 50 members and it is only 10 of them that really arrange the race each year. We are delighted to do so and truly thankful APC Logistics is there, as our major sponsor, to ensure we can continue.' You can follow the race and see the chart of the course at
www.lakewellingtonyachtclub.yachting.org.au/
Unique sailing may be doing the area a disservice, as crews have to navigate the narrow McLellan Straits, which join the first two lakes, look out for trees along the way and banks near Hollands Landing. Often the water in the lakes is shifted around by the wind and then has to re-adjust itself, so there can be currents almost from nowhere.
Still, there are plenty of campers in exactly the same area to encourage the crews along and dozens of powerboat enthusiasts also join the party of spectators.
There's constantly changing forecasts just now, but I think we may be expecting a damp evening with a light NE blowing. Some Southerly fronts of up to 25 knots, could be an issue, if they do not slip further into Bass Strait as the pattern unfolds', he said.
So if Mad Max want the outright and handicap win, they will have to well and truly lead the large armada and be in before 2345hrs - and that would be game on, I'd say.
by John Curnow
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Manly, QLD
