After a good start in moonless conditions at 0530 this morning, Smooth Operator held position through Port Phillip heads en route to Apollo Bay. A steady 10kt-12kt SSW breeze saw the fleet condensed on the western side of the shipping fairway before bearing slightly west on a close reach along the rumb line once clear Lonsdale Rock.

A Code Zero headsail change paid off as the breeze began to fade. As dawn broke the wind continued to dissipate and the expected soon became reality for the crew of Smooth Operator.

In conditions were aptly described as 'Soul destroying' by Ocean Racing Race Management in a post earlier today, the crew collectively agreed to retire from the race as the BOM forecast offer little in the way of inspiration.

Smooth Operator returned to Martha Cove Marina.

By late afternoon up to a third of the fleet had retired, hats off to those who continue to hang in.

1505 Sked: The boats that have retired so far Algy Rose, Blaise Pascal, Cartouche, Christine, Hush, Remedy and Smooth Operator.

ORCV: The 2015 race was held in very light conditions. The fleet started in 8 knots from the start which died out and was replaced by a Northerly wind of 4 knots reaching 7 knots occasionally. The were 23 starters and only nine finishers. Boats retired from boredom, sea sickness (1 crew member on 1 boat) and time commitments.

White Noise skippered by Daniel Edwards had a fantastic race beating many larger boats over the line and winning AMS, IRC and Performance divisions, well done Daniel and your crew Andrew Conway, Bruce Alexander, Chris Warren , Jared Gursanscky, Nik Wallis and Rod Smallman. Click here for full results