30 yachts now entered for Melbourne Osaka Cup
by Melbourne Osaka Cup 16 Jul 2023 17:53 AEST
From March 9, 2025
Kevin Le Poidevin on Roaring Forty - Melbourne Osaka Cup © K Le Poidevin
With 18 months preparation time until the start on March 9, 2025, 30 yachts (60 sailors) are now entered for the Melbourne Osaka Cup. The number of yachts is capped at 50 and strong interest continues to be shown from around Australia and the world.
Among the entrants are 11 competitors who have done the race before, including Jon Sayer and David Ratner who first competed in 1991. Sayer has previously designed and built boats specifically for the Osaka Cup and will be competing in his fifth race - this time as co-skipper on 'Learning to Fly' with Alan Paris (NZ).
34 years on, David Ratner (Canada) has entered his Santa Cruz 50 'Incantation'. We also welcome two Japanese yachts: Hajime Nitta sailing his Elliott 13 'Trekkee' and Katsuhiro Yamada on 'Zero', an IMX 40.
Other internationals include two more New Zealand boats: Scott Fickling on his Verdier 40 'Vixen' and William Goodfellow/Graeme Wilson on 'Miss Scarlet' an RP52.
The first ever mother and daughter team has also entered. Annette Hesselmans - who competed in 2018 - will be sailing her Najad 49 'Fika' with daughter Sophie Snyjders.
One interesting entrant, who will be well prepared for his Osaka challenge, is Kevin Le Poidevin who is in Spain for the Global Solo Challenge, which starts in August 2023.
"The Melbourne to Osaka is one of the most unique and challenging ocean yacht races in the world. The race traverses the Pacific from south to north over 5,000 nautical miles. Previous competitors call it their pinnacle of racing and with only two crew on each boat, the race attracts sailors who enjoy the unique satisfaction of short-handed sailing", says race organiser George Shaw.
For more information visit melbourneosakacup.com.