Bright eyed and bushy tailed

10:35 AM Fri 25 Dec 2009 GMT

'Crowd favourite - the Doyen's 'Challenge' - Entire Group Cock of the Bay' John Curnow

The other yacht race that gets underway on Boxing Day is the Entire Group Cock of the Bay on Melbourne's Port Phillip. It's not just a fairly early start for crews departing their pens along the bayside suburbs, but also for the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria's officials and VIPs who pick up the wonderful 'Enterprize' in Williamstown.

The reason is simply that 'Enterprize' barely makes five knots and although the start line is only a few miles from Williamstown, it still takes a little while to get on station ready for sign-ons and ultimately, the all important gun firing.

As 105 yachts make their final preparations, The Bureau of Meteorology says the weather is going to be 'Winds: South to southeasterly 10 to 15 knots increasing to 15 to 20 knots during the afternoon. Seas: Half a metre increasing to around 1 metre during the afternoon'. This is good news for the 40 plus boats that are continuing on the next day to Tasmania, as they are more laden and therefore heavier than their inshore cousins. That extra shove from a stiffer breeze will help to kick them along a little.

'Scarlet Runner' would be quite happy to see that forecast and should get away nicely. Perhaps there will be enough in it to let her take on the record of 5:13:10, as set in 2003. I would keep a very close eye on the Elliott 44CR 'Veloce', however. The crowd favourite, Lou Abraham's 'Challenge', will prefer the wind on the nose as well.

'Scarlet Runner' during her maker's trials on Port Phillip - Entire Group Cock of the Bay - John Curnow

'Enterprize' will be adjacent to Station Pier in Port Melbourne from around 1000hrs and the gun for the all-in start will be at 10.30am. Remember anyone can watch all this unfold for free, anywhere from Port Melbourne to Sandringham at your favourite spots in St Kilda, Elwood and Brighton. Mornington Peninsula residents should start to see them get near the Blairgowrie finish from about 3pm. You can get extra information at orcv.org.au

So if you are a mad keen boating enthusiast or just want to witness an amazing spectacle, get up all bright eyed and bushy tailed, see the Cock of Bay fleet go past from as close as 50 metres and you'll still be back at home, in time to take in the start of the Rolex Sydney Hobart on TV.

Just wicked.

'Veloce' is just that - quick! - Entire Group Cock of the Bay - John Curnow

ORCV Officials and VIPs board 'Enterprize' for the 2008 start - Entire Group Cock of the Bay - John Curnow

by John Curnow

Click on thumbnails to enlarge and find more photos:

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