Melbourne to Vanuatu - Time to stop dreaming

by Robyn Brooke on 17 Mar 2006 Four months until we wave goodbye to those who could’ve but didn’t.

We’ll be off, out of here, heading north to the sunshine. The Bay dolphins will come to cheer your success at getting to the start line and you will be overcome by a sense of relief and peace knowing the hard preparation is over and you, the crew and your beautiful, gleaming boat are ready for this wonderful adventure, next stop Vanuatu.

Cape Schanck settles into silhouette behind in the evening light as the boat is prepared for the night ahead. Collision regs are recalled as a ship passes by and your driver’s thoughts turn to tucker as the smells and sounds of cooking drift out of the hatch.

On the horizon you notice a sliver of light but this time it is neither the Spirit of Tassie nor a fishing boat but the moon, in her first quarter. An added bonus of this race is to be sailing into increasing moonlight, finishing with a last quarter moon on the approach to Port Vila and later, sailing into the sunset towards Mackay, again with a first quarter to full moon behind. What other race can you sail into the sunrise on the first leg and into the sunset on the second?

Enough dreaming, as stated earlier, it’s time to get down to business….

The Notice of race is available now at www.orcv.org.au or www.sail-world.com/m2v2006

For those of you who know Vanuatu and have ventured even a short way outside the city of Port Vila, you will be aware of the sharp contrast between our wealth and their want. Many of the yachts already committed to the race are developing an aid project to present to the community. Yoko, Solitaire, Ingénue, Silver Spirit and Boots have already started collecting school supplies and teaching aids, clothes, toys and medical supplies.

Race organizers are negotiating with the shipping company and hope to have two containers available to transport the bulk of these items. It has also been suggested that each boat prepare and carry with them a token offering to a local community project to be presented at the arrival ceremony.

To achieve this, we need the support of land crews, both to identify the schools and communities, to publicise the project, to gather the donations and to prepare them for transport. (This in memory also of Vanessa Higgins, much loved member of SYC, who was working towards this project prior to her death.) Please advertise this project to friends and family and invite them to leave their contact details at the ORCV office +61 3 9689 1622

Graeme Watt has been appointed race director and will be ably assisted in Vanuatu by his wife Margot, an experienced SYC ‘tower tart’.

If you are able to assist with the shore based command centre, either in Melbourne or Port Vila, please register your interest at the ORCV office +61 3 9689 1622.

Containers: The Kiribati Chief departure dates from Melbourne:
9th June arriving Port Vila 19th June
12th July arriving Port Vila 22nd July

Airfares and accommodation: Air Vanuatu has established a contact for all inquiries about air fares relating to the race. Yachties are advised to arrange air fares early as there are several events in Port Vila around the conclusion of the yacht race.

A reminder that crews booking one way air fares will need a letter from the yacht skipper to give the immigration authorities.

Air Vanuatu – Special Crew air fares
Contact – Doug Creamer 0292999694 email - sales@airvanuatu.com.au

Pacific Blue
Arrangements under discussion

Iririki Resort – Special accommodation arrangements
Contact – Silvana Perna 0396960300 email Silvana@iririki.com

Other links:
o www.vanuatutourism.com
o www.airvanuatu.com.au
o www.virginblue.com.au
o www.orientpacific.com.au
o www.irriki.com