With just four days to go, the crew of 2018 and 2023 Rolex Sydney Hobart handicap winner “Alive” know what’s coming. While skipper Duncan Hine and co-skipper Glenn Myler have taken time off, over the next couple of days, they will get their Border Force clearances and move the boat from its current location at Melbourne City Marina.
“Now the reality kicks in”, says Hine. “We’ve been doing a fair bit of sailing short-handed. I love the challenge. It’s a lot of fun.”
The Reichel Pugh 66 will be the last boat to start the race, giving current leader “Curious Roo” a four-week head start. The S&S34 ‘Curious Roo’, which started on 2 March, is currently in the Solomons and has just over 2,800 nm to go.
She could literally be halfway to Japan by the time “Alive” starts.
Hine and Myler have put a lot of thought into making this big, lightweight rocket ship practical for two people to sail.
“Being double-handed, the biggest issue was safety”, says Hine.
Putting in a reef was a major consideration on a boat that normally requires four people to do it. “I’m very pleased we finally got there with being able to put in two reefs and shake them out without leaving the cockpit.”
The canting keel, which was demonstrated when the boat went under the Bolte Bridge last week, was another factor.
“Yes, you really have to think before you tack”, says Hine. “If we are going into a confined area we’d put two reefs in it.”
Meanwhile, for the crew of the Lutra Boc Open 40, ‘Roaring Forty’, the pain and head scratching after breaking their boom last Saturday morning appears to be all but over.
“Great news!” said owner/skipper Kevin Le Poidevin. “Roaring Forty will definitely be back on the road to Japan in the 2025 Osaka Cup!”
After initially retiring to Newcastle Cruising Yacht Club, the boom was assessed as repairable, and work started almost immediately to sleeve and re-laminate it.
“Bit early to nail the actual departure date/time, but we are pretty pumped”, said Le Poidevin. “I cannot thank Joe, Brad and all the team at Midcoast Boatyard and Marine enough for jumping straight in to get us back out on the race track.”
The repairs are also good news for the three charities Kevin and co-skipper Darrell Greig have chosen to support, Brain Tumour Alliance Australia, Pankind and Soldier On, who will again have someone to cheer on.
With the rest of the fleet now spread between Brisbane and the Solomon Islands, the Roaring Forty lads know they have their work cut out for them.
“Our goal is not to be ‘eaten Alive’ by the 66ft shark departing Portsea Pier on Sunday”, says Le Poidevin.
“Alive” is due to start from Portsea Pier at 3:30 pm on Sunday, 30 March.
M2O 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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