8:34 PM Wed 23 Dec 2009 GMT
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'2008 Entire Group Cock of the Bay start, looking in towards St Kilda Beach'
John Curnow
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A massive fleet of 105 yachts is all set to get underway on Boxing Day at 10.30am in the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria's annual Cock of the Bay event. All of the boats, which range in size from 25 to 60 feet, will get away from the one start line, adjacent to Station Pier in Port Melbourne.
This is really important, because if you've got family, friends or interested souls at your office ready to see racing boats up close and personal, then you need to read on, better yet, go viral and ping this URL to everyone!!!
Your clan can see these boats from as close as 50 metres, without even getting wet or seasick! The folk can stay on nice comfy, dry land. The start is at Port Melbourne and the course brings them right past Melbourne's Bayside suburbs. My tips would be to watch from St Kilda marina, Point Ormond, the breakwater at Royal Brighton Yacht Club, Green Point or possibly the best vantage point of all, in front of Sandringham Yacht Club on Jetty Road, Sandringham. The reason being that there is the new club house now and it has an open-to-the-public restaurant and bar - book now I would think!
In the end, that has to be better than sitting atop a cliff, way, way, away from the action, like the Sydneysiders have to do for their awesome race - and there are some terrific yachts competing, as well as the chance to see the Doyen, Lou Abrahams, aboard his 'Challenge' as they go past.
So if you haven't got the best seats at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for the Test, then get along to the other huge sporting spectacular of Boxing Day, the Entire Group Cock of the Bay. The Bayside vantage points have more seats than the 'G' to cater for everyone too!!! Also, if you have blown the budget this Christmas, remember no one is going to charge you just to watch.
Now don't forget to put your Entire Group and McConaghy Melbourne Offshore Championship stickers on your booms! If they're on, you stand a WAY better chance of being featured here on Sail-World. Capiche!
The Cock of the Bay is the feeder race for the three ORCV offshore races that get underway from the Portsea Pier on the 27th at 3pm. Here's what that looks like if you are down on either of the Peninsulas by then. The regular ferries can bring you over from Queenscliff, if you are holidaying on the West coast or you can make your way to Point Lonsdale and see them depart Port Phillip Heads.
If you are racing in the Cock of the Bay, don't go back home to Melbourne, stay with our friends at Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron on the Mornington Peninsula and follow the fleet, all the way to the Heads on December 27th.
www.orcv.org.au
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You can be on the breakwater in front (totally free of charge) or up on the deck of the SYC Clubhouse - your call! (Suggest you actually make a call to the club for a booking...) - Entire Group Cock of the Bay - John Curnow
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Portsea Pier already flooded with spectators, as some of the the 2008 fleet hoists sail in preparation. - Entire Group Cock of the Bay - John Curnow
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The crew of ’Audacious’ are doing the mighty Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster this year. - Entire Group Cock of the Bay - John Curnow
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by John Curnow
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