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The Race
The
Melbourne /Osaka Double handed Yacht race began in 1987 and is held
every four years.
The
race participants sail from Melbourne to Osaka
(Japan), a distance spanning approximately 5500 nautical miles,
without stopovers. The crew race longitudinally across the Pacific,
starting in the southern hemisphere and finishing in the northern
hemisphere.
The
next Osaka Cup Yacht Race will be held for the sixth time in 2007.
Race start - Osaka Cup 2003
Because the crew race intensively for the entire event, the race is
an exhaustive one. Added to this are the interpersonal skills
required to share the confines of a yacht for an uninterrupted
period of between 30 to 50 days, under stressful race conditions
The race endures all weather patterns, from storm force warnings to
the most frustrating - the equatorial doldrums. For many days at a
time the
boats receive barely enough wind to keep moving.
Pacific doldrums
Lucky Lady - 1999 Japanese entrant (Formerly Flying Fish
Mounsey/Sayer 1991)
The
Osaka Cup is not only about speed. The event is massive in terms of
strengthening the cultural relations between the sister ports of
Melbourne and Osaka.
For two weeks prior to the race, Melbourne is host to a number of
cultural exhibitions.
Melbourne Docklands - pre race
festivities
The
hospitality given to the competitors and their supporters by the
race organisers and the Osaka Hokko Yacht Club is second to none.
Affectionately known as Melbourne House - this is the competitors'
home away from home, and is the central meeting place for the
officials, competitors and their supporters.
Melbourne
House - at Hokko Yacht Harbour
(Osaka)
Nature's magic |
Jon Sayer steering Sayernara
to victory 1999
This grueling Double Handed Yacht Race is unique. The event is
neither fully crewed nor is it single handed.
Your fully crewed race requires teamwork and has many hands
available to keep the yacht sailing.
The single handed race, with the auto pilot as your only companion
requires another standard of seamanship.
Joel Berg and Jon Sayer
Team FGI 2003
The
unique aspect of double handed sailing, lies not only in the
challenges and endurances, but combines the characteristics of both
single handed and fully crewed races. When one crew is off watch,
the other crew is sailing the boat single handed.
To
achieve success - teamwork, skill and consideration for your mate is
paramount.
Maverick - berthed in Osaka (2003)
An
objective of the race is to promote the development of technology
and thereby create yachts that are suited to crew on this arduous
long distance passage. The race is regarded as being psychologically
tougher than single handed events, as generally, the two crew push
each other harder, than one pushes oneself when alone on board.
Funnel Web - High calibre yacht that the Osaka Race attracts
Surprise sighting - tree tied to log in middle of the Pacific
Navigational skills are also tested, as the equatorial region of the
Pacific, just south of the Philippines is dotted with coral atolls,
many reefs and unexpected navigational hazards.
Jon
Sayer & Joel Berg - Winner Div C (2003)
Once the fleet has reached Osaka, there is a welcoming ceremony for
each finishing yacht, numerous cultural activities, and a
prestigious prize giving reception for everyone involved in the
race.
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