Japanese entries shine – RYU-JIN down but not out

by Di Pearson on 3 Apr 2007 Japanese sailor Itaru Matsunaga and his Queensland co-skipper John Bankart have kept COCORIN interland in the of the Melbourne Osaka double-handed yacht race overnight with Victorians Patrick Giudice/Brian Pattinson (Gusto) keeping in contact, approximately 18 nautical miles adrift.

South of Townsville, Northern Queensland, the Japanese 16m Elliott schooner has put in a171nm run over a 16 hour period, to increase her lead over the Victorians who sailed 158nm.

The next group is led by another Japanese entry, Tamagomalu (Makoto Hisamatsu and his Queensland co-skipper Jimmi Doherty), which continues to enjoy close sailing with Dekadence (Phil Coombs/Peter Walsh) and Jim and Joe O’Keeffe, the father and son team on the lone NSW entry Hullabaloo, as they wend their way up the Queensland coast.

Tamagomalu, approximately 6nm ahead of the two, has crossed into the Tropic of Capricorn, north of Gladstone, the most northerly positioned of the three. Her compatriots are less than two miles apart on a more easterly route. All can expect fresh running conditions today.

Don’t count out Murray Bucknall and Jon Sayer on RYU-JIN – fgi. Along with Alex (Jock and Hamish MacAdie) and Runaway (James Ryssenbeek/Andrew McCole), they are heading to Bundaberg, Queensland, where checking out rudder damage, anticipate re-joining the race.

The latter two are yet to make a decision, but are likely to once they establish the extent of their respective damage. Runaway is motoring at approximately 4 knots in 20 knot winds on lumpy seas. All are well on the three boats. Esoterica (Campbell Reynolds/David Best) is in Southport for mainsail repairs and is likely to rejoin the race.

Back in the race, Asadori (Shinsuke Nishi/Kyojun Fujita) and Ingenue (David James and Rosie Colahan) are also enjoying some two-boat racing; the Japanese entry just 20nm in front of the Melbourne couple, abeam of Fraser Island.

Shozi Yoneda and Jun Kanda’s Wild Boar is off Surfers Paradise, with Pippin (Roger Sayers/Anthony Brown) around 42nm behind and hugging the coastline.

The Southern Light boys, Tom Crabb/Trent Justice are still playing catch up following rudder repairs. Abeam of Ballina on the NSW North Coast, they are some 345nm behind Pippin.

Dekadence’s crew, Phil Coombs and Peter ‘Pee Wee’ Walsh continue to enjoy their race, ‘Pee Wee’ reporting last night: 'Day 8 or 9 - not sure, lost count - too busy having a great time. That is possible you know, after six days with the wind on the snotter (nose) and 20+ knots!

'The food so far has been sensational, probably because I have been cooking; but I must say, scrambled eggs are Phil's specialty. Must remember next time to monitor the quantities the girls volunteered to supply; we’ll have to stay out here 60 days just to get through it all.

'Our eating starts at 6am with juice and fruit, followed by cereal or eggs or grilled cheese and Strasburg, followed by snacks for morning tea, then hotdogs or similar for lunch.

Choccy and a drink for afternoon tea, but that's not all - cocktail hour isn't too bad either.

'Dinner is casserole/spaghetti bolognese, or as a special treat, oven baked garlic and oregano spuds, honey caramelised carrots and a piece of fillet steak that melted in our mouths - not bad for a couple of battlers from the building industry!

'This game plan of concentrating on eating well and bugger the sailing seems to be working, as we are not last. What happens if we decide to put some more sails up? Scary thought!'

Weather from Roger Badham:

The Coral Sea has pretty fresh south-easterly winds at the present, with average breeze around 25-30 knots during the morning.

Argos tracker positions at UTC 22.00.00 (8am AEST & 7am JPN Tuesday):

COCORIN interland (Itaru Matsunaga/John Bankart), Gusto (Patrick Giudice/Brian Pattinson), Tamagomalu (Makoto Hisamatsu/Jimmi Doherty), Dekadence (Phil Coombs/Peter Walsh), Hullabaloo (Jim and son Joe O’Keeffe), Asadori (Shinsuke Nishi/Kyojun Fujita), Ingenue (David James and wife Rosie Colahan), Wild Boar (Shozi Yuneda/Jun Kanda), Pippin (Roger Sayers/Anthony Brown) Southern Light (Tom Crabb/Trent Justice) RYU-JIN (Murray Bucknall/Jon Sayer – heading Gladstone to assess rudder damage), Alex (Jock and son Hamish MacAdie, heading Gladstone to assess boom damage), Runaway (James Ryssenbeek/Andrew McCole – heading Gladstone with keel damage), Esoterica (Campbell Reynolds/David Best, in Southport with mainsail damage),Cadi (John and son David Netherton, retired), Wasabi (Ken Down/Shane Gaddes – retired).