Under full spinnaker and charging in at 11.5 knots, Japanese entrant 1122Trekkee, the Roger Class 40 skippered by Hajime Nitta, made a spectacular entrance as the second boat to finish the race. Greeted by a fanfare of cheers, it marked another proud moment for Japan’s growing ocean sailing community.
The Osaka City Fire Department gave Trekkee a grand welcome, complete with ceremonial water fountains on the water, as the boat crossed the finish line on April 18 at 15:23:30 (GMT+10). Their elapsed time: 32 days, 4 hours, 38 minutes, and 30 seconds.
For Nitta and co-skipper Sonosuke Noda, there’s only a brief pause before they set sail again, this time in the 350nm Ocean Spring Festival Race, a race organised by Nitta himself, starting May 3. That race marks the final leg of their journey home.
Reflecting on the voyage, Nitta paused before sharing:
“A highlight was passing Guam at just over 14 knots, a great speed for our boat as we chased down the earlier starters.”
The duo reported no issues or major breakages along the way, and Nitta was quick to offer heartfelt thanks:
“We’re grateful to all the volunteers who made this race possible, and for all their hard work.”
Meanwhile, the rest of the fleet continues to make progress, with eight boats within just 300nm of the finish. Escapade is expected later today, kicking off a wave of arrivals over the next 48 hours.
The last starter, Alive, the Reichel Pugh 66 skippered by Duncan Hine, continues her search for the fleet with Magellan 300nm ahead, inviting them to slow down and stop by for Sunday roast as they expect to be passed based on current speeds.
With staggered starts, both line honours and handicap winners will be determined by shortest elapsed time, after adjustments are made for any penalties.
Melbourne Osaka Media
Follow the fleet as they race towards Osaka via the race tracker https://race.bluewatertracks.com/2025-melbourne-osaka-cup-double-handed-race
Learn more about the race and competitors via the Melbourne Osaka Cup website https://melbourneosakacup.com/en/home/
Find us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Osakacup2018/
About the Melbourne Osaka Cup:
Melbourne Osaka Double-Handed Yacht Race: The World’s Longest South-to-North Sailing Event, is about to kick off, attracting both international and local sailing talent.
Competitors sail non-stop and unassisted on their own boats with just two people onboard, navigating four weather systems over 32 to 35 days.
This event provides a unique opportunity for sailors, many of whom are Corinthian (non-professional and self-funded), to embark on the challenge of a lifetime. While major shorthanded races like the Vendée Globe and Transat Jacques Vabre feature professional teams, large shore crews, and significant budgets, the Melbourne Osaka Race stands apart by offering accessibility to sailors who do not rely on extensive support teams.
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