Please select your home edition
Edition
Allen Dynamic 40 Leaderboard

Melbourne Osaka Double Handed Race - Plenty of unpredictables

by Sally Williams on 19 Apr 2013
Escapade taking the lead so far in the ongoing Melbourne Osaka Double Handed Yacht Race 2013 Brian Abbott
Melbourne Osaka Double Handed Race 2013. At 0600 sked this morning, Cadibarra8, Optimus Prime and Wasabi have all broken through the 1000nm to go mark with Spirit of Downunder soon to join them. Of course Escapade is already through with 750nm to go. She still has a lead of 186 nm but there are plenty of unpredictables yet.

There has been gentle banter among the fleet about the pack hounds chasing down Escapade which no doubt prompted Robert Bradley, Skipper, to send through this report.

'... And as they come around the Marianas Islands and into the home Strait, it’s Escapade by 150,000 lengths to Optimus Prime and then a few thousand lengths back to the pack. They straighten for the run home and Escapade looks to be fading. What a gallant effort from the tiny boat by Farr out of Binks, she's led them all the way as the pace maker (plenty of pace makers on board as it happens) but looks to be tiring a bit now as the pack start to reel her in.

The crew are riding her hand and heels (there's a glass of red in the other hand) and they've given her one last call ... yes, she's responding, look at her go! The pack seem to have lost their spirit (we're down to our last 2 rations of rum as well) and Escapade is showing them a clean pair of heels (finally had enough water for a wash - last week). Past the 700 mile post and it’s still Escapade. Can she hang on to the finish? ... stay tuned for the final exciting episode.

Yep, were flat to the boards,seven knots+ close reaching with the number two and a reef which I’m about to shake out as the wind continues to ease from an overnight high of 19 kt down to 12s and 13s. Billy Joel has followed CCR on the Radio VKV short play list (shuffle, repeat on the Ipad - 500 songs 33hrs). Watch the tracker to see what we do with the remnants of the low off Osaka as we play our final cards in an attempt to out fox the hounds. Our wind models are up to date as of last night and the next 24 hrs looks challenging.

Both the main and the number two are starting to look very tired, the main is starting to look like a patchwork quilt and the number two is delaminating along most of the foot section despite the chaffing protection we've applied. Still plenty of spinnakers (all of them in fact) left for the run up Osaka bay and ample stock of 3 and 4s as well as the spare main which has already had a run.

Highlight of last night was the Trifle Joey whipped up for happy hour, which we finished off with the Deb/Andrew Muesli this morning, yep nearly 5 weeks of eating that muesli and it still tastes Melbourne Osaka Double Handed Race 2013

PredictWind - Routing 728x90 BOTTOMPalm Beach Motor YachtsBarton Marine Pipe Glands

Related Articles

Marine Auctions: Two Online Auctions in July
Also Jacob Seiffert has been appointed as the Area Representative for the Port Lincoln Region Marine Auctions are proud to announce that Jacob Seiffert has been appointed as the Area Representative for the Port Lincoln Region in South Australia. Jacob is a local Commerical Fisherman.
Posted today at 2:43 am
Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta 2025 Preview
The fourth stop of the five series Sailing Grand Slam circuit Over 200 elite athletes from 42 nations have converged on Long Beach to test their skills on the same waters that will host sailing events during the LA2028 Olympic Games as they compete in the Long Beach Olympic Classes Regatta July 12-20
Posted today at 12:11 am
Best Buddies from Germany win the AEGEAN 600 2025
The second wave of finishers benefit from last night's steadier breezes Behind the first wave of finishers yesterday morning, yesterday and last night's steadier breezes helped sweep in another wave of Monohull and Multihull finishers to the race finish at Cape Sounion.
Posted on 11 Jul
Conversation with Ben Willows: CEO RS Marine Group
Some people's passion for sailing runs so deep, it feels like it's woven into their DNA There are some people whose passion for sailing runs so deep, it feels like it's woven into their DNA. Ben Willows is one of those people.
Posted on 11 Jul
101st Bayview Mackinac Race starts on Saturday
A massive fleet of 183 monohulls and 9 multihulls will set off to race entire length of Lake Huron It is one day to go, and the fleet is assembled in Port Huron before the start of the 101st Bayview Mackinac Race, organized by the Bayview Yacht Club and presented by National Fleet Services.
Posted on 11 Jul
International Moth Worlds at Lake Garda Day 4
Balanger dominates qualifying, storm cuts Gold fleet racing short Day four of the 2025 Moth World Championship opened at dawn with another early start for the 137 athletes from 25 nations competing on Lake Garda.
Posted on 11 Jul
iQFOiL Worlds in Aarhus overall
Thrilling Medal Series closes out a spectacular week of high-stakes foiling in Denmark The 2025 iQFOiL World Championship wrapped up in Aarhus with a spectacular Medal Series showdown that saw Emma Wilson (GBR 7) and Andy Brown (GBR 360) rise to the top and secure World Championship titles.
Posted on 11 Jul
Rolex Fastnet Race IRC Three preview
This has produced the overall winner of two of the last six editions IRC Three may consist of smaller, slower and in some cases older boats than those that will garner headlines in the first couple of days of the Rolex Fastnet Race.
Posted on 11 Jul
Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship preview
This year's regatta will be the largest of its kind ever hosted in Tallinn Tallinna Yacht Club brings one of the biggest sports events of the summer to Haven Kakumäe - 300 young sailors expected at the Zhik Nordic Youth Sailing Championship, plus just as many supporters on shore!
Posted on 11 Jul
18th Puig Vela Clàssica Barcelona day 1
Opening victories and nautical splendor This week, Barcelona once again takes center stage in the world of classic sailing as the 18th edition of the Puig Vela Clàssica gets under way. The opening day delivered ideal conditions for a spectacular display on the water.
Posted on 11 Jul