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2025 Melbourne to Osaka Yacht Race Weather Briefing for the Third Start on 17 March, 2025

Tuesday, 11th March, the ORCV along with KISS ALIVE, Melbourne -Osaka Cup and Royal Brighton Yacht Club hosted an unforgettable night celebrating International Women's Day 2025. The event, featuring the intrepid female mother-daughter sailing duo, Annette and Sophie from Fika, skillfully moderated by Liberator sailor Kate Hyde, drew a packed house of approximately 200 attendees, creating an electrifying atmosphere. As Fika prepares to set sail again this Sunday, March 16th, Annette reflected on her previous Osaka race with a touch of humor and wisdom: "It's a very long way to Japan in a very small boat." Despite the challenges, the duo exudes confidence in their abilities and graciously acknowledged the unwavering support of their partners, Gerry and Simon, who have been instrumental in their preparations and ongoing inspiration. The evening not only celebrated these remarkable women but also raised over $1,500 to support women in sailing, underlining the event's commitment to #accelerateaction for gender equality in the sport. The ORCV has brought the KISS introductory women's keelboat training under their Training KISS becomes ALIVE in 2025, a strategic platform to connect all Victorian female keelboat sailors through a central hub for collaboration and event promotion so you never miss an event or opportunity to be active, inspired and connected. There has never been a better time to get onboard to #accelerateaction! To keep up to date with all opportunities visit the KISS ALIVE page.

"Stand up, sort yourself out and make your situation better every day." The Melbourne Ocean Yacht Racing community was out in force to support Pip Hare on Medallia after her dismasting in the Southern Ocean, while competing in the 2024 Vendée Globe single-handed (solo) non-stop, unassisted round the world yacht race. A Melbourne-based team was asked to assist as required. The team included a number of Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV) members including Andy McGrath, Bob Tanner, Dean Van Teylingen, Delma & Grant Dunoon, Neville Rose, Paul Pascoe, Simon Dryden and Steve Twentyman. A very experienced solo sailor with incredible, skill, tenacity and ingenuity like Pip doesn't need much assistance. Assistance has included arrangements with Border Force & Bio Security, arranging a pen for berthing, fenders shipped from overseas, liaison with VicPort VTS, escorting Medallia from Apollo Bay through Port Phillip Heads Rip and up the Bay, providing some additional fuel and welcome packs of goodies and a few other logistics and liaison with her UK team. Steve, Neville, Dean and Andy headed out of Port Phillip on Steve's boat, Little Miss Magic, to meet Pip approximately 10 nautical miles East of Apollo Bay. They made contact at 19:46 AEDT, just before dark on Friday, 27th December and escorted Medallia from Apollo Bay, to Port Phillip, through Port Phillip Heads (The RIP), South Channel and up the Bay to Docklands, Melbourne. Photo and video credits: Pip Hare Ocean Racing Little Miss Magic Crew Blue Water Tracks crew Vendee Globe Media Pip Hare Ocean Racing Website: https://www.piphare.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PipHareOceanRacing Twitter/X: https://x.com/pipoceanracing Instagram: https://instagram.com/piphareoceanracing TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@piphareoceanracing Vendée Globe single-handed (solo) non-stop, unassisted round the world yacht race. Website: https://www.vendeeglobe.org/en

All races have a dedicated team who monitor and support each race. Meet this year's Race Director team for the 2024 Melbourne to Devonport race adding faces to the names that work tirelessly behind the scenes and are on the ground to assist the arrival of boats. The fleet packed so tightly, it's going to be a busy time late afternoon and early evening.

We cross over to Rod Smallman on Maverick just after the 2024 Melbourne Devonport race start where the crews and fleet are settling into the rhythm of Bass Strait after a very busy start. Rod predicts it's going to be a small boat race for handicap honours but it's still up in the air as they wait to see what the high pressure system will do later on today. The winner could be decided by who get's the tack right as they wait it out and decide when to go. Grab a coffee and listen to what Rod thinks. Video interview Jane Austen with Rod Smallman

1st November 5pm Update - 3 Hours into the 2024 Melbourne to Devonport Race The fleet is settling into Bass Strait, enjoying flat seas and 15 knots from the south in what has been termed "peachy conditions." Leading the fleet are MRV and eXtasea, with the fleet staying just east of the rhumb line. In an interview at 4pm, Rod Smallman on Maverick predicted that those who pick the right time to tack may have the advantage, as they await a wind change later tonight. He went on to suggest that it could turn out to be a small boat race for handicap honors given the predicted conditions, though tactics will play a large part. The fleet is closely packed, with each tracker update giving everyone a chance at the handicap win. Keep an eye on the tracker https://race.bluewatertracks.com/2024-melbourne-to-devonport-rudder-cup and enjoy whilst we wait for the wind to change the interview with Rod Smallman here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MKb4a8r4e7M

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Webinar 7 looks at provisioning and clean oceans.

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2025 Melbourne Osaka Cup competitor training support program Customs and Quarantine Protocols for Arriving / Departing Australia by yacht - Australian Boarder Force (ABF) - Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) Search & Rescue - Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA)

Annette, one of our seminar presenters, described the journey home as "equally rewarding as the race itself." She reflected on the race as an "incredible, life-changing experience that keeps you on a high for a long time." While much effort goes into preparing the boat and gear, the latest training webinar focused on preparing your mind, body, and soul for the 5500nm Melbourne-Osaka Cup and the return journey. This session featured three experts who provided invaluable advice on preparing crews, coping during the race, and safely transitioning back home looking at the Medical, Well-being and Journey home. Our experts share tips, experiences and proven strategies with current competitors in this series of preparation webinars. The live webinars are open for confirmed entrants of the race and if you are considering joining the race. If the Melbourne Osaka Cup is on your bucket list, we encourage you to get your entry in to ensure you are part of history of this race. Entries for next year's race are still open here and catch up on the past webinars

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This webinar looks at weather and navigation, sail selection, compliance and rigging through a panel of experts in each field.

Melbourne Osaka Cup - Webinar Boat Preparation, Radio Comms, Safety Regs, Engine and Watermakers presented by the ORCV

2025 Melbourne to Osaka participants joined the ORCV for Boat Preparation 1 which looked at Instruments/Electrical/Diesel fuel storage

Each year, the Ocean Racing Club conducts on water tours of Port Phillip Heads and the Rip. There's nothing like seeing the navigation guides, have pointed out the hazards and be lead through how to read the tides and currents by an experienced sailor. You can read the book but if you see it, it will then put all into perspective. Reserve your place on the tour, leaving from either Sorrento or Queenscliff https://www.orcv.org.au/training/rip-tour-of-port-phillip-heads

Dark & Stormy skipper Tobias Swanson and crew member Tommaso Mattia Pretto share their experiences of sailing the 2023 Melbourne to Hobart Westcoaster race. After a tough night in heavy winds in the Southern Ocean, a great experience for their international crew onboard giving that very different sailing experience. Video: Jane Austen ORCV Media team