The Club Marine Series, Day Five - Ambulance Chasers.

One always feels a little like an Ambulance Chaser, when one publishes images of accidents. Thankfully, mercifully and blissfully, no real ambulance was required for the incident on Port Phillip on Saturday, February 20, which was in the Division One race. Some 32 boats got away cleanly after the gun. Images © Steb Fisher

We begin with a busy first rounding at the top, with four boats all heading off to the hitch mark. 'Barnstormer' had got there first, then 'Spirit of Downunder' (left of image and crossing behind), 'Smooth Criminal' (on the right in this pic) and 'Stampede', who are above 'Smooth Criminal'. You can see the latter's leeward gunwale, just behind the red wet weather gear.

'Addiction' (in the foreground) also came along behind the other four and set about sorting their kite out. 'Spirit of Downunder' had a wineglass to attend to themselves and it is 'Barnstormer' with the skied pole out on the right. The other two vessels are off to the left and out of this image. 'Barnstormer' had gone right up and over the hitch mark, so 'Spirit of Downunder' had ducked their stern, which is how the two vessels have swapped sides from the image above.

I think that's what is called converging courses... ORCV regulars, 'Addiction', finishing off their hoist.

So if this isn't the point of impact, it would have to be very close to it. You can see 'Smooth Criminal' appearing on the left. You can also see that their prodder is already busted and pointing at the depths...
 
Now here's the Tiiimmmmmberrrrrrrrrrr! 'Smooth Criminal', over on the left, are heeled over and spearing in. Bad times for them. In the CMS4, they gave the RBYC Committee Boat, 'Tarni', a touch up on the start line - well five of them, actually...

Anyway, this is why we are just so utterly thankful that no-one sustained a terrible injury. Miracle. Blessed, actually...
 
Rig gone, with just the clew of the main hanging over 'Stampede's forestay. The prow is now firmly implanted into 'Spirit's gunwale.

Plenty of Larry still in 'Smooth Criminal'. This really does not look favourable.

As 'Spirit of Downunder's hull levels out, we start to see the extent of the issue...

On the positive side of the ledger, at least they are both very well built boats...
 
Not looking good here - bit worried about the yellow boat, somehow...

Yes - I would be having the tiller firmly pulled towards me as well, if I'd been driving 'Addiction'. Exit Stage Left, all right!!! Run deep and avoid the gybe.

2009 M2HW Winner, 'Jazz Player', is right out in front and 'Addiction' scoots on by. It's 'Barnstomer's rig visible over on the right. 'Spirit' now completely screwed around over her toppled rig.
 
'Stampede' had not even completed their hoist before the events took place. It is their Bag that is only about 1/3 of the way up.

The little, How's your Father?, on 'Stampede's transom has done a nice job of securing the prow right in there...

By John Curnow

AND see below for Steb's comments on the action from Sat Feb 20:

I'd like to add a few words from the photographer's perspective about the Range Race shots of Smooth Criminal, Stampede and Spirit of Downunder.

"I was initially focused on the challenge that Addiction was having to fill their kite, until I noticed what was going on in the background.

Just to give you an idea of the speed with which things happened:

Image 1 - 2:30:02 PM
Image 4 -  2:30:03 PM
Image 5 - 2:30:04 PM
Image 7 - 2:30:05 PM
Image 8 - 2:30:06 PM
Image 10 - 2:30:07 PM
Image 11 - 2:30:08 PM
Image 12 - 2:30:11 PM

They were all taken as individual shots, not on continuous shooting which would have been at five frames per second.

You might notice that the detail shots look a bit blurry.

This is a detail from the collision at full resolution. This is an effect of our famous Melbourne weather. The wave in foreground gives a clue that there is little camera shake at 1/1600th of a second. There might be a slight 'depth of field' loss off focus as the point of focus was on Addiction (closer and just out of frame), but main effect is refraction (mirage effect) as the hot northerly (course set was 355 mag. and breeze 12-15 knots, air temp about 35 deg and water temp 23 deg) passed over the relatively cooler water.

Finally it is easy to shoot with a long lens (400mm) from a distance. More challenging is to shoot from close up when the crews were aware of my presence. I made sure that all were safe and uninjured before doing so. Our STC rescue boat, Boonoorong, was alongside within 2 1/2 minutes."

Best regards

Steb

SEE IMAGES BELOW...