Colour and Spectacle for Melbourne to Osaka race

by Rhys Ryan on 12 Mar 2003 Melbourne will be filled with colour and spectacle in March and it won’t be of the footy kind! Racing yachts, spectacular food and international artists will replace team flags and scarves as the 2003 Tasaki Osaka Cup comes to town.

The Cup – one of the world’s most prestigious yachting events – is a non-stop yacht race from Melbourne (Australia) to Osaka (Japan). Spanning 5,500 nautical miles (approximately 10,200km), the race is set to attract thousands of visitors to Melbourne’s shores.

The Cup is the world’s longest longitudinal double-handed yacht race and celebrates the Sister City and Sister Port relationships between Melbourne and Osaka.

Highlights of the Tasaki Osaka Yacht race includes:

Around The World in 80 Dishes - 8, 9 10 March 2003 includes:

· Pre Race Promotions will include all the Tasaki Osaka Cup entrants sailing in and berthing alongside Shed 4 in Victoria Harbor throughout the weekend of Around the World in 80 Dishes.

· Each day between 12noon and 1pm, the yachts will sail off from Shed 4 to Bolte Bridge and perform a sail through back into Victoria Harbor, providing a spectacular view for visitors at Around the World in 80 dishes.

· The Tasaki Osaka entrants will also participate in a ‘Sports Panel’ each day at 3pm at the main stage.

Saturday 15 March –11am Race Start

The first official leg of the race will depart from Sandringham Yacht Club to Blairgowrie Yacht Club. Port Phillip Bay will come to life with a spectacular Race Down the Bay celebration.

Historical vessels and a flotilla of yachts will follow the competing yachts to Blairgowrie.

Sunday 16 March – 11am Race Start

The second leg will run from Portsea to Osaka. This time local ferries and a spectator fleet will join the yachts and historical vessels, following the competing yachts for a last hurrah as they leave Port Phillip Bay behind for their journey to Osaka.

Lord Mayor John So said the Cup was a fantastic initiative that celebrated the multicultural and diverse nature of Melbourne.

“The race gives us an international platform to promote Melbourne as a business, investment, visitor and sporting destination as well as a wonderful place to live and work,” said the Lord Mayor.

Cr Irene Goonan, Chair of the Marketing and Business Development Committee, said the event would line our waterways with colour and activity and allow every Melbournian to be part of the long-standing relationship between our two cities.






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“The Osaka two-handed yacht race is an outstanding event,” Cr Goonan said. “This is a unique opportunity for Melbourne and Osaka to showcase the ability of sister city relationships to make a real contribution to our understanding and enjoyment of other cultures.

“We are expecting interest to stretch far beyond the yachting community, with thousands of people expected to see the fleet off and take part in the many celebrations leading up to the race start.

“The race alone, which is held every four years, is shaping up to be a great success in 2003 as it has already attracted 22 competitors (from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, France and Denmark) and is likely to attract further entries before entries close in February.”


Details of the Tasaki Osaka Cup including event activity programs and competitor information can be viewed on the Osaka Cup website at www.osakacup.com.