Skippers' Briefing and Xmas Gift

10:41 AM Sun 20 Dec 2009 GMT

'Kevin Robinson, CEO of Heenskirk Consolidated, will be taking ’No Fearr’ South in the Eastcoaster race. - Heemskirk Consolidated Melbourne to Hobart' John Curnow

The annual Skippers' Briefing for the Heemskirk Consolidated Melbourne to Hobart was held at the Royal Brighton Yacht Club in Melbourne today. Over 100 souls attended, which also included Skippers from the Kidder Williams Melbourne to Launceston, which is the oldest ocean race in Australia.

Apart from the usual safety, weather, logistical information and apparel display, all present were rewarded with a Christmas Gift. The present came in the form of a judicious tip. In the last week or so, the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria's main sponsor, Heemskirk Consolidated, has appeared on several of Collins Street's most reputable brokers' buy lists. Heemskirk, ASX Code HSK, is one of the world's most significant Tungsten miners (at Los Santos, Spain), the price of which has improved dramatically lately. At the launch today, Kevin Robinson, CEO of Heemskirk Consolidated commented, 'It is great that we have two races now to Hobart, which effectively circumnavigate the wonderful isle of Tasmania, just like the lead ship from Abel Tasman's voyages in 1642, whose name our company now shares.

In terms of the weather, Race Director Simon Dryden, was quite delighted with the moderate conditions expected. 'It's always good to know that the fleet is not going to face a tough year. A little different from 10 years ago I tell you, John. At this time, we do not anticipate having to hold the fleet back to allow any undesirable weather to pass' Simon commented today.

Given the ORCV's emphasis on safety, AMSA was represented at today's briefing by both Linda Berryman and Christine Macmillan. Despite the serious nature of the material they discussed, it was one of the times when the house roared. Whilst Linda was indeed pointing out that it will take AMSA one to five hours to find you with a non-GPS PLB, as opposed to instantaneously with a GPS capable version, it was raised that there is now a mere $60 difference between them in price, to which one crewmember from one of our newest entrants, who bought his when the differential was far greater, commented that he would be 'Firmly stuck onto another of his crew buddies if it did all go sideways.'

The ORCV would also like to thank our hosts at this time of year, the Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron (Mornington Peninsula), Tamar Yacht Club (Launceston) and the Derwent Sailing Squadron (Hobart), together with all their volunteers who make these races possible.

Today was also the first time that Skippers saw the McConaghy Melbourne Offshore Championship flags. - Heemskirk Consolidated Melbourne to Hobart - John Curnow

Got to get your hands on this! - McConaghy Melbourne Offshore Championship John Curnow

by John Curnow

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