Osaka Cup

by Rebecca Anderson on 24 Apr 1999 The Melbourne to Osaka Cup Double Handed Yacht Race was first held in 1987 to celebrate the Port of Osaka’s 120th anniversary, and to enhance to Sister City and Sister Port relationship between Melbourne and Osaka. The race represents Victoria’s only international destination race, and stands as the longest double-handed yacht race in the world.

The Osaka Cup is held every four years, and has contributed greatly to building goodwill between sister cities Melbourne and Osaka. As a direct result of the Osaka Cup, valuable business links have been developed, which have stimulated growth of the local economy in both cities.

By providing a range of activities such as the new food and wine event Around the World in 80 Dishes TM, the Osaka Cup appeals to all ages and socio-economic backgrounds, and encourages youth and family involvement from sailors and non-sailors alike.

While broadening the Melbourne and Osaka sister city relationship, the Osaka Cup has become a prominent race on the international yachting calendar and has boosted Australia’s profile as a world class host of special events.

The City of Melbourne has served as the principal Melbourne sponsor for the 1999 Osaka Cup, providing significant funding, coordination and administrative support for the race. The Sandringham Yacht Club has organised all the technical aspects of the race, including course detail, rules and regulations, and will host the yachts as they arrive in Melbourne.

This year’s Osaka Cup boasts a record thirty-three entrants from five nations. The race commences from Melbourne’s Station Pier on the 17th of April, and the impressive fleet, includes entries from Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Russia and Papua New Guinea.

On Friday April 9th, all competitors will gather at the Sandringham Yacht Club to participate in a spectacular 'Parade of Sails' which will finish at North Wharf at Melbourne Docklands. Celebrities, sporting personalities and selected media will be invited to experience the thrill of sailing on board one of the competing yachts.

The first leg of the 5,500 nautical mile race leaves Station Pier at 10:00am on Saturday 17th April, and the Official Race will launch from Portsea at 3:30 pm on Sunday 18th April. From there it’s non-stop sailing, 24 hours a day, all the way to Osaka.

On the 10th and 11th of April, an anticipated 100,000 people will flock to the Docklands to bask in Melbourne’s cultural diversity and enjoy quality food, wine and entertainment at the International Food and Wine event Around the World in 80 Dishes. . This free event gives the public a chance to view the competing yachts and meet the sailors.

Sheer resilience, skill, chemistry, and an unbridled passion for the sea, are just a few qualities exemplified by the world class yachtsmen in this years race.

Whitbread sailors Nick Moloney (30) from Victoria and Daniel Fong (28) from New Zealand compose one of the many outstanding teams vying for the 1999 Osaka Cup. Nick was an integral part of the Toshiba crew who successfully competed in the 1997-98 Whitbread Round the World Race. Regarded as an outstanding international racing yachtsman, sail maker and ambassador for Australia, Nick also joined the One Australia team for the 1995 America’s Cup. His co-skipper Daniel sailed for America’s Challenge in the Whitbread, and holds the world monohull, trans-Atlantic record.

While to some the 1999 Osaka Cup is the realisation of a life-long dream, others see it as a stepping stone to even grander missions. Vincent Lauwers is a paraplegic sailor who, along with co-skipper Grahme Rayner (who is an amputee himself), will sail the 1999 Osaka Cup as preparation for a round the world solo voyage. Since his accident in 1990, Vincent has passionately pursued a recovery with the dream of skippering the first paraplegic, solo, non-stop, unassisted voyage around the world.

Other accomplished entrants include Flying Colours yachtsmen Kevin Lacey and Peter Schultes. The Sydney-based pair have sailed together for six years, and the two men have amassed close to 60,000 nautical miles between them during their respective sailing careers. Their racing history includes multiple entries into the Sydney to Hobart, Sydney to Southport, Lord Howe Island race and many other blue water events. Flying Colors is one of three yachts chosen to carry Inmarsat Units during the race. Lacey and Schultes will use the units to deliver voice, e-mail and digital images to a worldwide audience throughout the journey to Osaka.

Each team of the 1999 OSAKA CUP brings with it a wealth of intriguing sea experience and a unique perspective on the race. The rich field of sailing entrants is set to combine with exciting pre-race activities and cultural events to create an outstanding event and showcase the great City of Melbourne.

For more information please contact:
Rebecca Anderson
MM Communications
Ph: 03 9690 8855
Fx: 03 9690 8055
M: 0413 971 898

Osaka Cup website: http://www.osakacup.com