All races have a dedicated team who monitor and support each race. Meet this year's Race Director team for the 2024 Melbourne to Devonport race adding faces to the names that work tirelessly behind the scenes and are on the ground to assist the arrival of boats. The fleet packed so tightly, it's going to be a busy time late afternoon and early evening.

1st November 5pm Update – 3 Hours into the 2024 Melbourne to Devonport Race The fleet is settling into Bass Strait, enjoying flat seas and 15 knots from the south in what has been termed "peachy conditions." Leading the fleet are MRV and eXtasea, with the fleet staying just east of the rhumb line. In an interview at 4pm, Rod Smallman on Maverick predicted that those who pick the right time to tack may have the advantage, as they await a wind change later tonight. He went on to suggest that it could turn out to be a small boat race for handicap honors given the predicted conditions, though tactics will play a large part. The fleet is closely packed, with each tracker update giving everyone a chance at the handicap win. Keep an eye on the tracker https://race.bluewatertracks.com/2024-melbourne-to-devonport-rudder-cup and enjoy whilst we wait for the wind to change the interview with Rod Smallman here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKb4a8r4e7M

Race has been cancelled

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The 70th-anniversary race to Apollo Bay started on time at 6am in 15 knots of wind from the NW. It was MRV that lead the fleet from the start and who were first through the heads. Ginan, Arcadia, Hot Chipps, How Bizarre, Cadibarra, Jaffa and Shimmer are all closely following. The winds are predicted to hold all day making for a fast race and quick race. With all boats safely through the heads, we have Blue Water Tracks providing a quick on water update. Video: Grant Dunoon

It's a slight different race today with the ORCV fleet offered to consider pledging to support the Good Friday Appeal with their first sked tonight. Volunteer Race Director Ray Shaw runs the fleet through the starting protocols including exclusion zones, shipping to be mindful of, communication channels be observed before doing a final check of crew and confirming they are a starter.

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49 yachts are on the start line for the 50th Melbourne to Hobart yacht race in glorious sunshine

Scarlet Runner takes the lead as they pass around the first mark and is first through the heads on the 50th Melbourne to Hobart Yacht Race

With the first boat now in sight, the Race Directors Jeremy and Cam reflect on the senseless loss of the ORCV Race Control van as they setup a make shift race management desk in the cold. Thankfully the winds have continued to build with some reporting 30 knots at times and the first boat due in within the hour.

Rear Commodore and incoming Sail Captain Jeremy Walton provides a quick update just prior to the start of the 68th Apollo Bay Race.

At 10.30 today the yachts in the 68th ORCV Apollo Bay race are enjoying gorgeous conditions, definitely some sort of light wind sailing for all

Karen Young from the water provides an update as winds lighten and crews are looking fondly to getting to Apollo Bay by dark.

With the fleet now only hours away, our Race Directors Ryan and Matt give us a quick update with the King Island Boat Club as their backdrop. The first boats are on the leeward side of King island and should arrive around 7pm. It's going to be busy then between midnight and 2am when it's expected the bulk of the fleet will arrive in time for the famous King Island steak sandwich.

Lord Jiminy takes line honours in the 2020 ORCV Melbourne to Devonport yacht race as captured by Channel 7

ABC TV News recounts the finish to the Melbourne to Devonport race with Lord Jiminy taking line honours

Channel 9 news review the 2020 ORCV Cock of the Bay

Channel 7 News with the start of the Rudder Cup

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The Race Directors Noel and Ryan are ready, who will come in first and will it be within the hour as they all battle now against the tide. Keep and eye on this channel, the tracker of ORCV website It's been a close and interesting race.