Expressions of Interest to race here.


NOTE: This race may be cancelled or postponed. There is no official announcement of race.  This page and others like it did gather many boats who wish to race however the cities of Osaka and Melbourne have not accepted to race.  A private group did try to keep the race going however we see no race announcement from them either.

December 19th 2009. The race has been officially postponed. http://www.city.osaka.lg.jp/hodoshiryo/cmsfiles/contents/0000060/60740/eibun.pdf

Thank you.

Mark.

MELBOURNE OSAKA CUP
Double-Handed Yacht Race

EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST NOW INVITED FOR THE NEXT RACE: MARCH 2011. If you want to join the race sign up here.

The Melbourne Osaka Cup: Double-Handed Yacht Race (“the Race”) is a 5,500 nautical mile epic journey that runs every four years, pitting man and boat against the power of the ocean and the weather.  Come on and sail with us. Sign up today.

Objectives

The objectives of the Race are to promote a challenging long-distance, short-handed yacht racing event between Melbourne, Australia and Osaka, Japan traversing the Pacific Ocean, and in so doing to provide a proving ground for true seamanship as well as to encourage the development of suitable seaworthy yachts and of appropriate gear, supplies, and techniques for short-handed sailing. The race is also intended as a means of strengthening the ties between Melbourne and Osaka as sister cities and ports.

History

The Race was first held in 1987 to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the opening of the Port of Osaka. It has been held every four years since to celebrate the City of Melbourne and the City of Osaka sister city and port relationships. Over the various races it has attracted over 200 entrants from many of the traditional yachting countries including Australia, Japan, New Zealand, the USA, Canada, Germany, Netherlands, Denmark, France and the USSR. More information about the previous races can be found on the web site: http://www.osakacup.com/.

The 2011 Race

The seventh running of Melbourne Osaka Cup race is planned to take place starting in late March 2011. The Race is to be sailed from a starting line established within Port Philip to a finishing line to be set up within Osaka Bay. Race participants will sail the 5,500 nautical miles (approx. 10,200 km) without stop-overs, traveling backward through the seasons with autumn in Melbourne, summer at the equator, and spring in Osaka. The Race is one of the longest two handed yacht races in the world and the only one running from the southern hemisphere to the northern hemisphere.

Expression of Interest

To assist in planning the next race with the Cities and Ports of Melbourne and Osaka and other organizations we are asking interested potential participants to lodge an indicative expression of interest by 31st July 2009.
Expressions of Interest should be lodged by email to the address noted and detailing as much as possible of the information as listed below.

Email address: English : jock@iimetro.com.au in English OR Japanese mark@sails.co.jp

Information Required:
Skippers Name and place and country of origin:
Crews Name and place and country of origin:
Name of Yacht and country of Registration:
Yacht Club(s):
Design of Yacht:Type: Racer/Cruiser-Racer/Cruiser
LOA:
Bmax:
Disp:
Sail Area: