Osaka race revs up

Sailors are lining up for Australia’s major oceanic event, the 2025 Melbourne Osaka Cup.

18 July 2023

Entries into the 2025 Melbourne Osaka Cup include Internationals, Veterans and representatives from all Australian states.

With 18 months preparation time until the start on 9 March 2025, 30 yachts (60 sailors) are now entered for the Melbourne Osaka Cup.

The number of yachts is capped at 50 and strong interest continues to be shown from around Australia and the world.

Among the entrants are 11 competitors who have done the race before, including Jon Sayer and David Ratner who first competed in 1991. Sayer has previously designed and built boats specifically for the Osaka Cup and will be competing in his fifth race – this time as co-skipper on Learning to Fly with Alan Paris (NZ).

Kevin Le Poidevin on board Roaring Forty. Pic: Kevin Le Poidevin.

Kevin Le Poidevin on Roaring Forty. Pic: Kevin Le Poidevin.

Di and Jon Sayer aboard Ryujin, designed built and raced by Jon in the Osaka Cup 2007. Pic: JSayer.

Annette and Sophie - return from Osaka on Red Jacket - 2018. Pic: Gerard Snydjers.

34 years on, David Ratner (Canada) has entered his Santa Cruz 50 Incantation. We also welcome two Japanese yachts: Hajime Nitta sailing his Elliott 13 Trekkee and Katsuhiro Yamada on Zero, an IMX 40. Other internationals include two more New Zealand boats: Scott Fickling on his Verdier 40 Vixen and William Goodfellow/Graeme Wilson on Miss Scarlet, an RP52.

The first ever mother and daughter team has also entered. Annette Hesselmans – who competed in 2018 – will be sailing her Najad 49 Fika with daughter Sophie Snyjders.

One interesting entrant, who will be well prepared for his Osaka challenge, is Kevin Le Poidevin who is in Spain for the Global Solo Challenge, which starts in August 2023.

“The Melbourne to Osaka is one of the most unique and challenging ocean yacht races in the world,” said race organiser, George Shaw.

“The race traverses the Pacific from south to north over 5,000 nautical miles. Previous competitors call it their pinnacle of racing and with only two crew on each boat, the race attracts sailors who enjoy the unique satisfaction of short-handed sailing,” he added.

For more information contact: George Shaw, Chairman, Organising Authority, Melbourne Osaka Cup, +61411 464 802, geoshaw@ozemail.com.au

melbourneosakacup.com

Lessons learned

Recycled racer

Lessons learned

Recycled racer