Melbourne Osaka Double Handed Yacht Race

- Competitors' Farwell

It was a colourful sight at the Ken King Centre on Sunday afternoon....kimonos – Japanese dancing ladies – flags, flags and more flags. Robyn Brooke and Julie Davis had spent the morning giving the KKC more adornments than it had ever seen before! Most of the competing boats were lined up and looked great.

The competitors looked keen – no more than SYC's own Martin Vaughan! There was much hugging and back slapping between competitors and crews....Chris Carlisle commented in his welcome that he hoped crews were just as friendly with each other after 5,500 sea miles with only each other for company!!
Each crew was presented with a battle flag by the Commodore of the Hokko Yacht Club which he says must be flown in Osaka Bay – otherwise the yacht may face disqualification!!
Our Executive Chef Khol put on a superb Japanese BBQ........so good all those there will probably think again before 'throwing a chop on the barbie'!
SYC was presented with their own "Fish Flags' by Hokko Yacht Club which we can fly on "boys' day" on May 5th each year.
George Shaw, Simon Dryden and the Hokko Yacht Club have done a wonderful job keeping this race alive without any sponsorship