Race Update 13 April – 9 am
As the first yachts approach the finish line in Osaka, the outcome of the 2025 Melbourne Osaka Cup remains wide open. With final standings determined by the shortest elapsed handicap time, the main fleet, along with the final starter Alive, remains very much in contention. Gaining on the earlier starters, every boat remains focused on completing this remarkable journey and chasing the dream of claiming the Melbourne Osaka Cup.
Conditions across the Pacific have been nothing short of spectacular, making for the kind of sailing most only dream about. Cyrus Allen, skipper of White Spirit, shared this update as they passed Guam during the night:
“I’m starting to wonder if this is the apex of quality sailing for this race — or can it continue with such glorious conditions?
“Yesterday was total glam sailing. We ran the Code 0 for most of the day, only dropping it briefly to let a blow pass through.
“Boat speeds consistently above 9 knots, fair seas, clear sky. The evening was more stunning than the last, with a near full moon lighting the sky, so we didn’t need head torches.
“There’s something truly glorious about sailing at night under a full moon, with warm airs and a calm sea state. It’s magical.”
Meanwhile, Magellan, the Knoop 39 skippered by Richard and Megan Grant, continues to impress, despite sailing under a jury rig after suffering a break to their D1 shroud a week ago.
“Our jury rig is holding up very well,” said Megan Grant. “We’ve made improvements to the tensioning system, stronger pulleys and an additional line as a secondary D1, which will help keep the mast upright should the first D1 fail.”
“Over the last few days, we’ve had excellent NE winds of 15–25 knots, and while we’re sailing conservatively with early reefing, we’re still making great boat speed, often seeing 9 knots!”
Repairs are already being planned, with race rigger Wilksie Marine “preparing to deliver two new D1s in Osaka to replace both the broken and also the one still standing.”
Alive, the last yacht to start just thirteen days ago, is set to claim another milestone today as they overtake ‘Sailor Moon’ the Northshore 370, both yachts now clear of the Solomon Islands and searching for the northern trade winds and the joy of crossing the equator.
With predictions showing less than a day, based on corrected time, for the top five places, the race is far from over and winners not clear.
There’s sure to be a flurry of finishers as we approach Easter, so keep your eyes on the live race tracker as the fleet converges in the coming week and the battle for the Melbourne Osaka Cup plays out to the very last mile.
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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