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

Melbourne to Osaka Double-Handed Yacht Race: Entrants

Yacht name: Spirit of Downunder Skipper: Laurie Ford Co-Skipper: Tim Ford Yacht Type: Cameron De Lange 40

Melbourne Osaka Double-Handed Yacht Race - Blairgowrie Farewell - book today!

Blairgowrie Yacht Squadron will host a farewell dinner on Saturday 16^th March for the first of the crews to depart for Osaka. Families and friends are welcome to attend, but you must book by 4pm today.  Bookings and arrangements for DINNER and BERTHING.

Come along to farewell Escapade, Southern Cross and Turbulence.

http://www.melbourneosaka.com

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

Sandringham Vice Comodore Kate Mithcelle

David and Rosie with SYC Comodore Chris Carlisle

George Shaw

Robyn and George who did the 2003 Osaka

Paul and Martin from Cadibbarra

Micheal and Ryan from Samuri Jack

Brain and Joey from Gusto

The chef hard at work

Bill Stubbs and the Dancing Girls

Melbourne Osaka Double-Handed Yacht Race: Race Management

YellowBrick Smartphone/tablet app

AQIS and CUSTOMS Protocols for Osaka.

Register your interest to attend this seminar on Tuesday 5th March 2013 at 7pm at Sandringham Yacht Club.
Don’t forget you are required to submit your Smallcraft Arrival/ Departure Form  96 hours prior to leaving Australian territorial waters. Face to Passport validation and Clearance has been arranged for race entrants at 0900hrs on Saturday 16th February and Saturday 23rd February at Sandringham Yacht Club prior to the race starts on the following Sundays.

Countdown to Osaka..

The countdown to the Osaka Cup is on!

Click HERE for important dates to add to your calendar.

Don't forget to register for the forthcoming seminars HERE.

M2O Q&A Talk Fest

M2O Competitors past and present and other interested people are advised that an information evening will be held at Royal Melbourne Yacht Squadron, Pier Road, St Kilda on Thursday 7th March commencing at 7 p m. The evening will cover:
7 p m: Konban wa (George Shaw)
7.15: Provisioning: Cooking up a storm at sea and basic provisioning tips (Gourmands Robyn and Rosie)
7.45: A stitch in time: patch up jobs and other medical emergencies at sea (Dr. Rosie)
8.15: M2O talk fest swap meet: don't forget the matches, being becalmed, best way past New Guinea, and other salty stories (All attendees)
9.30: Sayonara
An abundance of finger food will be provided for a nominal contribution of $10 a head - pay on arrival. Drinks at bar prices.

Bookings are essential for catering purposes.
Register at ORCV now.
Call Julie for further information 0412322111

Presentation at Tenmangu Shrine

Presentation for the Osaka Cup will be held at Tenmangu Shrine on Sunday 5th May 2013 at 3pm.

A blessing ceremony was held at the Shrine for the safe voyage and sucessful race event. You can view some pictures of the event HERE.

Southern Cross

The 40 foot vessel, Southern Cross, arrived in Melbourne late December 2012.

She is set to return to her home port of Osaka in competing in the Melbourne to Osaka, co-skippered by Yasuyuki Nakaji and Masaru Matsuura.

Have a look at the youtube Video of their preparations.

Tony's Rooftop Party!

You are all invited to farewell Tony Warren and Andrew Hibbert from Kiss Goodbye To MS before they venture off to Osaka.

Book early to assist with catering! Click HERE for more information.

Cadi goes green with new wind generator.

A new 400W wind generator has been installed on Cadibarra 8 in preparation for the Osaka race. This wind generator together with the new 80W solar panel will provide sufficient power for most of the electrical 12 VDC power requirements during the race. The other source of the power will be the motor’s alternator which we plan to only operate every few days, this will allow minimal use of diesel.

The photo shows the wind generator with carbon fibre blades with Bernard Opat who assisted with the installation.