Alive is on the move, gliding north like a great white shark, silently closing in on the fleet and picking off competitors one by one. The race now stretches over 2,500 nautical miles, with boats scattered from Queensland Australia, through to Micronesia.
Alive, which started the race four weeks after the first boat and two weeks behind the main fleet, is making good progress, clicking off the miles and capable of 13 knots SOG in just 10 knots of wind. With only two crew aboard (a boat typically sailed with 12), they’re surprising even themselves, running a triple sail and jib stick setup while sharing commentary and tutorials along the way.
“It’s day 5, and we’re off Queensland, making nice progress. Passed the first of the opponents,” says Duncan Hine, skipper of Alive as they passed the Lutra Boc Open 40, Roaring Forty. Duncan added, “In their defense, they did stop and restart after breaking their boom”
With Roaring Forty behind them, next up is J44 The Secretary. Still shaking off the early setbacks and charging north again, there’s friendly banter going on between crews as they prepare for the Alive encroachment.
Meanwhile, towards Micronesia, Yamada’s IMX40 ‘Zero’ is storming ahead in solid trade winds, clocking 8.8 knots with a 430nm lead over Escapade.
While the main fleet starters struggle to break free from the Solomon Sea. The much-needed Northern Trade Winds remain elusive, having moved further north, just out of reach.
Having come this far, without any major issues, Kayoka Nakano skipper of the Bakewell-White Z39 ‘Jazz Player’ explained “I’m excited that we are almost at the equator, however we haven’t had much wind and our progress is slow.” as she goes onto be concerned about their stores of supplies running out if they don’t reach the trade winds soon.
Patience is being tested, but humour remains afloat with the Fika crew joking that it’s feeling like it’s time to cut out all the heavy wood from their beautiful Najad 490 to reduce its weight.
Whilst ‘White Spirit’ drifts sideways and slowly north along Nissan Island, the frequent sail changes and gentle pace offering crew front-row seats to nature’s show, tuna jumping out of the water as they chase their prey and sea birds circling above to scavenge the leftovers
It’s a very relaxed Ken Gourlay on Blue Moon II as he and son Tristan continue to enjoy the marvellous tuna caught a few days ago, adding, “We are in good spirits and hope to get to Osaka by Christmas”.
“After a good run up to the Solomon Sea, we were happy, but with all things in life, some bills have to be paid. Our bill is getting out the top with these challenging currents and very little wind to fight them.”
As they contend with the oppressive heat with only two USB fans downstairs, Ken continued
“Some surprising aspects are finding our best sails for the conditions, and that can be different from first thought.”
This father-son duo are staying cool and creative, Ken even had time to pen a poem, a tribute to the race that captures the highs, lows, and humor of life at sea presently for them.
I did love sailing. by Ken Gourlay
I love to go sailing
Out on the lake
It can be such a great break.
My friends and I would go sailing
We would laugh, drink and enjoy
It was our home not our employ.
The wind in you hair
Light spray in your face
The boat heels and picks up pace.
The feeling of freedom
Out on the open blue
Nature is at one with you.
Wind, quick adjust the sails
White sails flapping in the breeze
They bellow out with ease.
Come racing they all told me
Together we will make a team
I grabbed my gear, I was keen.
There’s this race they said
Melbourne to Osaka just for you and me
We will sail through the Solomon Sea.
The day it came
We sat ready to start
Too much wind for us to start
Straight up the East coast
That suits our boat
I had better not gloat.
The Solomon Sea
I’m looking forward to that
But alas that’s where we sat.
12 miles one boat cried
I had to smile we did 15
This sea can be awfully mean.
My boat is too heavy I hear the cry
The reply came, jettison the wood
Will it help, well it could.
Flat as flat can be
We all waited for the breeze
Come sailing they said with such ease.
Slat slat the noise is back
Slat slat we heard it all day
Oops that just broke there’s more money to pay.
About us are plenty more
Lights it’s a fishing boat
Lights it’s a tanker boat.
Oh I did love sailing
When I went at home
When it was me all alone.
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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