Osaka race readies

This race is a dream come true for many, with some competitors joining forces with family, partners, or long-time friends to take part in what is often years in the making. For many, simply reaching the start line is one of the biggest challenges.

The race is organised by a team in Melbourne, with support from host yacht clubs in both Melbourne and Osaka, and managed by the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria and celebrates the sister city relationship between Melbourne and Osaka.

The event is organised by the Melbourne Osaka Organizing Authority in partnership with the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria, Sandringham Yacht Club, and Osaka Hokko Yacht Club.

The Melbourne Osaka Cup begins at Portsea with a staggered starts, with slower yachts departing on 2 and 9 March, the main start on 16 March, and the faster models starting last on 30 March.

Competitor Outlines

Largest Boat – Alive (origin Tasmania)
Winner of the 2023 Sydney to Hobart yacht race, Alive will be converted from a 12-crew yacht to a two-crew boat. Starting last on 30 March, the team will chase the earlier starters. Both crew members are from Tasmania.

Smallest Boat – Curious Roo  (origin QLD)
Curious Roo, a S&S34 yacht that competed in the Global Solo World Challenge, has been converted by two Queensland doctors for a two-crew race. It will start first on 2 March.

Mother/Daughter Team – Annette Hesselman & Sophie Snijders (origin NSW & QLD)
A first-time mother-daughter team, Annette (2018 race veteran) is now joined by her daughter Sophie (under 30). Sophie, a YouTube content creator with her partner on the Sailing Nakama channel, recently circumnavigated Australia. The duo, hailing from Queensland and NSW, won their division in the Sydney to Hobart race.

Father/Daughter Team – Richard & Megan Grant (origin Tas)
Richard and his daughter Megan (under 30), both from Tasmania, will compete for the first time together. Richard, a seasoned sailor, has long dreamed of racing with his daughter. They also won their division in the 2024 Melbourne to Hobart race. Megan will be married just three weeks ahead of the race.

Father/Son Team – Ken Gourlay OA & Tristan Gourlay (origin Tas)
Ken, an accomplished round-the-world solo sailor with an Order of Australia (OA) honour, competes alongside his son Tristan, a 2018 race participant. Both hail from Tasmania.

International Teams:

Bermuda/NZ/Australia – Alan Paris & Jon Sayer (origin NZ/Bermuda)
Alan, who splits his time between New Zealand and Bermuda, is competing with veteran sailor Jon Sayer for the fifth time. They will race on Alan’s boat, marking the first time Jon has sailed in this race without a boat of his own design.

Japan – Three Contestants (origin Japan)
These skilled sailors, who began their journey to the start line in December 2024, are ready to race and could be strong contenders. Two will race on Class 40 yachts, which are popular in Japan and known for their speed.

Friends – Peter Dowdney & Grant Chipperfield (origin VIC)

Peter, a seasoned competitor with international recognition from the 80s and 90s, has sailed on America’s Cup team Steak ‘n Kidney and on Challenge Australia in 1991. Known for his bowman skills, he’s taken on all roles aboard, including baking bread while at sea.

Friends – Kevin Le Poidevin & Darrell Greig (origin NSW & SA)

Kevin, a recent participant in the Global Solo Challenge, teams up with Darrell, a long-time mate from their Defence days. They’re campaigning their boat Roaring Forty to raise awareness for the Brain Tumour Alliance.

Friends – Cyrus Allen & Lillian Stewart (origin VIC & Tas)

Cyrus is currently the Commodore of the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria and has dreamed of doing this race, sailing back to Japan a country he spent years working in.  Lillian (aged under 30) is the “accidental sailor” who only started sailing less than four years ago.  Lillian is also a sustainability campaigner, who does it differently.

melbourneosakacup.com