2013 Melbourne to Osaka Double-Handed Yacht Race - Start times

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Melbourne Osaka Cup - Update from Southern Cross Friday morning 22 March, 2013 from skipper Yasu:

Position - 37 54 S 154 30 E
Weather - Cloudy
Wind speed - 30 knots Nth
Waves - 6 meters
Speed - Average 4 knots
Crew - All well

Yesterday it was pretty tough. We faced extremely strong winds and big waves and with the violent shaking and rolling it was impossible to write a report for you.

Last night our strongest recorded wind gust was 46 knots. That’s the strongest I recorded, but they're only measurements taken whenever I felt a gust of wind, so they could be stronger.

Currently we’re using a storm sail tied down with a shock cord, we're thinking of running closed reach. Right now the wind is about 60 degrees of the port bow. Occasionally the sail lifts too much and tucks sometimes.

Although we have been pushed away quite a bit from the Australian continent, we have finally arrived where the northerly current flows and we’ll be able to finally turn north. Let’s hope we can continue now without having to try too hard". - Yasu

Melbourne Osaka Cup - Friday morning update 22 March 2013.  During the night Turbulence finally managed to turn north east and at 7.00 am was about 65 miles south of Gabo Is.

Southern Cross and Escapade continue to battle headwinds well off the coast, Southern Cross still on an easterly heading abeam Gabo Island and Escapade over 200 nautical miles east of Nowra. At the time of the sked Escapade reported the wind to be 30 knots from the north.

Late yesterday afternoon, Escapade advised that they had switched from racing mode into comfort mode until the conditions improved a bit. The wind then was 25-33 and they were punting along at 5 knots looking for their next bit of helpful current.

Southern Cross and Escapade are likely to stay with the northerlies until tomorrow, while Turbulence appears to be set for lighter winds closer in to the coast.

Melbourne Osaka Cup Thursday evening sked 21 March 2013. At the 7.00 pm sked, all 3 boats were battling 25 knot headwinds; Escapade more than 180 nautical miles off Ulladulla on the NSW coast, Southern Cross, almost due east of Gabo Island and 150 miles offshore and Turbulence still in Bass Strait, to the north of Flinders Is and heading east.

Turbulence should manage a heading further north east by late Thursday night, but the wind off the NSW coast is likely to remain in the north through until Saturday morning.

Gusto returns from qualifier.

Whilst some of the fleet have settled down to racing and watches, others are in last minute preparation mode.

Gusto left the Yarra on Monday morning, arrived back at Docklands midday Wednesday after completing their qualifying sail.

Gusto arrives back in the river after completing her qualifier

Melbourne Osaka Cup 2013 - Turbulence past The Prom

At the 0700 sked this morning, Turbulence was past Wilson’s Prom, with their website Tracker finally working. The wind had just turned west at 25 knots, giving them a good boost towards Gabo.

Escapade still well out to sea, 120 nautical miles off the east coast but now managing a more northerly heading with a 25 knot north-north-westerly and Southern Cross still about 100 miles behind and closer in to the coast.

The northerly should continue through until Friday for these 2 boats while Turbulence has the advantage of the westerly across the Gippsland coast .

Melbourne Osaka Ciup 2013 - Sunset aboard Southern Cross 19 March 2013

Position - 37°44'S 150°11'E.
Weather - North 16 knots.
Course/Speed - 45 degrees 6 knots.
Sail - Main, full Genoa
Crew – All well
We’re headed for Taupo 400 miles ahead to pick up the ocean current. Yesterday around 11am I took down the Genneka when the wind died and I set a Genoa.
The wind became too strong as it turned around to the northeast. I turned east on a port tack but an ocean current from the north was strong and so we changed to a starboard tack and was able to get closer to the mainland. Approaching the coast, I changed again to a port tack as we travelled east. The wind is tending northeast as it leaves the mainland and just aims us at Taupo. Last night the wind sometimes exceeded 20 knots but generally runs at around 15 knots.
Today was a particularly beautiful sunrise and for 360°the sky was dyed orange. The clouds make us feel that summer has passed and autumn is on the way.

Anyway, the moon is in its first quarter now isn't it?
As the moon sets it shines red like the sun on the horizon with not a cloud to be seen in the sky.
Aboard Southern Cross we’re inclined to the right a little now, occasionally beaten by a wave.
Yasu

Turbulence makes it to the start line

Eric Marsh and Paul Nielsen Co Skippers of Turbulence

Eric's wife Brenda, who has been ill, has recovered and has given the boys permission to start. So customs was completed yesterday, their bow sticker applied this morning and they left for Portsea at 8am. They reached Portsea at 1:30pm and have picked up a mooring to make their final preparations before getting underway at 2:30pm.

Looking at the PredictWind calculations, they should have a reasonable trip to Gabo Island.

Information for Visitors to Blairgowrie Saturday 23rd March 2013.

For vessels visiting BYS to farewell the Osaka Fleet this weekend, the spaces on the ENDS OF EACH FINGER have been reserved for RAFTING  up.

All berths at BYS are privately owned and unless you have booked through the BYS office, please do not enter the berths.

Don't forget to book for Dinner on Saturday evening- BOOKINGS close at 5pm Wednesday 20th March 2013

Egg and bacon rolls and coffee will be availalbe downstairs from 0800hrs on Sunday morning.

From the Race Director - Melbourne to Osaka Yacht Race update 20 March 2013

At this morning’s sked Escapade was 65 nautical miles east of Merimbula, heading east north east in a light breeze.

Southern Cross was 100 nautical miles behind, still struggling to get around Gabo Is in the light winds.

The wind will freshen from the north east later today before becoming stronger northerlies tonight.

Turbulence left Williamstown at 8.00 am, on the way to Portsea for a start this afternoon.

Progress to Osaka

Escapade and Southern Cross are experiencing light northeasterlies as of their sked at 0605hrs 20.3.2013.

Southern Cross indicated two days ago that they plan to stay on this course and catch a northerly flowing current which flows about 200 NM off the coast.
"We are unsure about sailing inshore and also there is a current from the north about 20NM from the shore. All aboard are healthy!" Yasu

“Escapade has rounded Gabo island and pointed her nose toward the north. Life aboard is starting to settle into routine with the 1800 sched and watch change done its time for me to reflect on what it's taken and to Thank to everyone who helped get us this far - Felicity, Verna and my family for putting up with getting ready to sell a house at the same time as get Escapade ready.Nicki, in case she's not sure if she's family or crew. My father for stumping up for a spare starter motor, thanks Dad.
To my major/only sponsor Australasian Maritime Institute, thanks Mike and I hope someone has sent you a photo of Escapade decked out in her new livery at the start line at Portsea with Joey and I in our nice new Mustow HPX gear, couldn't get matching sets of storm trooper white so we had to go with Banana yellow.
To my crew who have not only forgone sailing this season but been around when I needed help cleaning hulls, servicing winches and trying to seal up the annoying leaks.Brian in particular for the many hours he spent in frustration trying to get what turned out to be a faulty sat phone working - he was onboard at Blairgowrie on Sunday morning doing the final tests and training - thanks again.
To the various service providers/suppliers for tolerating my various last minute requests, Doug Tannahill at Seaport canvas (those last two sails arrived courtesy of a RIB off Portsea),Jim and Kel at Mariner Engineering, Jason at BSF Marine, Paul Bartley, and John Hooper. Most of whom are anxiously awaiting payment. don't worry guys, your cheques are in the mail - mostly via Coopers sparkling Ale bottles which will hopefully get washed ashore at Eden tomorrow if Joey has read the currents correctly.
To the members at Hobsons Bay yacht club for their support , enquiries and encouragement, fund raisers, farewells (at least three I can remember) and the crowd in the start boat and on the pier at Portsea.
To the race organisers and friends at the Orcv, if I mention names someone will get left out.

It's now 8pm and I've written this, half on starboard, half on port, we're making 5.5 in 8 kts and it should be 6 so back to work for me. If you’re following the tracker we've just made a major commitment to strategy. COG is 075 and being lifted progressively as the breeze backs.
Ciao
Robert

A word from Joey- aboard Escapade!

It's great to be on our way. Very tiring evening and night. but now running on course for Gabo Island. Tired as much because we were up 'til 2 in the morning the night before packing and stowing all the stores. That continued pretty well al the way through until 20 mins before the start when Felicity delivered a potentially important key. That of the steel drugs cabinet which was on Robert's other key ring!

So now it's full sail with the light spinnaker, 7-8 kts in the sun which is behind the sails. Otto steering. Wee bit bouncy and rolly but nothing to complain about.

nb. we are not sure that this is what Otto really looks like!

A few firsts!

Hot off the press from aboard Escapade.

A few firsts for Escapade in this race - First over the start line, First out the heads, First round Wilson's Prom.
First Southern Aurora.
First time the skipper has had a herc over the rail in a lonnnng time.
First time Joey has declined my invitation to stick the kite up after midnight "lets be a little cautious" he said.

Highlight of the start was the large number of number of family, friends, ex-competitors and Hobsons Bay club members who turned out to watch the start despite the less than pleasant weather.
Escapade chose the windward end of the line as it appeared to favour waving to more spectators, After some early jockeying for position, Escapade kept her promise to keep the Japanese team safe from Corsair rock and led them out the heads. Once clear of the choppy stuff (a result of the remaining ebb tide of about 1kt) we tacked onto starboard and have been there ever since. The decision to go with the #4 and a reef was vindicated around point Nepean as the wind built to 20+ and a second reef was put in as the wind showed no sign of the promised abatement during the evening. After a honking run at 7 - 8kts down to the Prom we decided to test our navigation skills again and take the inside route north of the Ansar group. The task was made easier by the sky lighting up with the Southern Aurora - a first for both crew although it was of course Joey who recognised it from his more frequent viewing of the Aurora Borealis. Life aboard is settling in this morning as the wind has eased and veered a bit, the spinnaker went up at 900am this morning, leaking lockers have been bailed, breakfast stayed down x2 and the latte machine is working its magic right now. With the last of the reefs out now we are making 7-8kts in 10-12kts of breeze.
So far the gas lighter has stopped working (yes we did pack MATCHES) and is having a rest in the sun, as are two rolls of paper towel.

Time for my morning nap now.
Cheers Robert.

Osaka Start underway!

At 1300hrs yesterday, Commodore Bill Torgensen from the Annapolis Yacht Club fired the gun for the start of the 2013 Osaka Cup off Portsea Pier.
Families and friends had enjoyed the hospitality of Blairgowrie Yacht Club on Saturday evening.
Yasu and Masa from Southern Cross and Robert and Joey from Escapade,attended weather briefing early Sunday morning with Race Director, Simon Dryden and Robin Hewitt.
With the weather looking lively outside the Heads both yachts carried #4 headsails and Escapade had one reef in the main.Shortly after the start In the lee of Point Nepean, the wind eased and Escapade shook out the reef. Whilst Southern Cross won the start, Robert and Joey were first out the Heads.
Both boats are now heading to Gabo and you can follow their journey on the TRACKER.

Escapade and Southern Cross get underway

The wind eased a little shortly after the gun.

Escapade on the way out the Heads

Southern Cross in the Heads

Melbourne Osaka Yachts to begin Epic Journey

Race to start in three parts from Sunday, March 17 at Portsea Pier

“Competitors are primed and ready to race,” said organiser and former competitor, George Shaw.

This weekend signals the moment all Australian and international crews in the 2013 Melbourne – Osaka Double-Handed Yacht Race have been waiting for.

The first of three groups of yachts will greet the starter at Portsea Pier on Sunday, March 17 at 1:30 pm.

The second and largest group will start the following Sunday, March 24, at 10:30 am. This is anticipated to be the most closely contested division.

The third start will be for the highly rated 66-footer Gusto, which will start on Thursday 28^th March 2013.

Ahead of them will be the toughest, most extreme race to start from Australian waters; up to six weeks of non-stop, two-handed sailing in conditions which rival any ocean race in the world.

“After 2 years preparation, a 5,500 nm battle is about to begin,” Mr Shaw said.

The starts are staggered to allow all boats to finish at about the same time. The three starts reflect the performance of each of the boats, with the fastest starting last.

“Crews are also going to be asked to nominate the order the yachts will finish. This will give an interesting perspective of how each boat views its competition,” Mr Shaw said.

In contrast to other races, like the Sydney-Hobart, all yachts and crews must clear customs at Sandringham Yacht Club early on the Saturday before their start. 

Each yacht must be crewed by only two people.

“Many are asking who will lose the most weight. In every race crews lose weight and many lose over 10kg during the “M2O”.

Crews will be made available for media interviews on request.

For more details about the entrants:

https://www.topyachtsoftware.com/db/aus/entrants_display.php?SeriesID=1633&Task=ShowSeriesEntrants&EventID=179

CUSTOMS CLEARANCE

WHEN: Saturday mornings before start day

WHERE: Sandringham Yacht Club, Jetty Rd Sandringham.

STARTS

WHEN: Sundays; March 17, March 24 and March 31

WHERE: Portsea Pier