Self-reliance and trust - markers of the Melbourne Osaka Cup

Peter Tardrew and Rod Gunther on Quest in the 2024 Westcoaster © Al Dillon

Teams are into last minute jobs readying for the 5500 nautical mile double-handed 2025 Melbourne Osaka Cup - the first yacht, Curious Roo, is due to depart on 2 March, ahead of the main start on 16 March and the final one on 30 March, with others in between.

No professional teams attached to this unique race that features a staggered start. Unlike short-handed majors such as the Vendée Globe and Transat Jacques Vabre, where teams have large budgets, this race is accessible and a dream come true for many sailors who do not rely on big shore teams.

Arriving from various ports in Australia, New Zealand and Japan, a pre-race stop in Melbourne is vital. It gives the mostly Corinthian crews time to clean hulls, repair any damage to equipment and attend to a long job list. Buying and preparing food for a race that can take up to 45 days or more for the smaller and slower boats in the fleet, is just one thing.

Time is of the essence, especially for Queensland's duo of Neil McKinley and Peter Garrett - two organised doctors. McKinley purpose-bought a 1971 built S&S 34, Bendigedig and renamed her Curious Roo for the race. It had already been updated in 2021 for the Global Solo Challenge.

S&S34s are the boat of choice for long-distance sailors, including record-breaking single-handed Australian circumnavigators Jon Sanders, Jesse Martin and Jessica Watson. It was also the choice of Jo Breen, who with Peter Brooks, placed second overall in the 2018 Melbourne Osaka.

In the main start are great mates Peter Tardrew and Rod Gunther. The self-titled 'couple of geriatric sailors,' bought Quest, a Nelson/Marek 43. It is one of Bob Steel's former Quests and placed second and fourth respectively in the 1995 and 1998 Sydney Hobarts.

Showing the strength of their friendship, Gunther was awarded the new Kevin Behrens Shield for Outstanding Crew Member after the 2024 Melbourne to Hobart 'Westcoaster'. Tardrew explained at the time, "I flew across the cabin in the race, breaking the window with my face and came tumbling down on the nav table," which produced a lot of blood.

The incident happened in 35 knots and rain. Once Gunther established Tardrew was conscious, he went back to looking after the boat and their safety. Despite the accident, they were first double-handers to finish the 435nm race - with seamanship and mateship on full display along with their mutual respect and trust in each other.

They are veteran sailors, but only took up double-handed sailing together a couple of years ago, but Tardrew did the race previously with a different crew.

Duncan Hine (Alive) won the 2023 Brisbane to Hamilton Island Yacht Race - photo © RQYS

Alive, a two-time Sydney Hobart winner, will be the last to start and Duncan Hine is busy adapting the Reichel/Pugh 66 from a boat that races with 12 people, to a yacht that can comfortably be handled by two.

Rupert Henry did the same with Chinese Whisper, the JV62 he owned and sailed to line honours, a race record (21 days 12h 41m 13s), and overall victory with Greg O'Shea in the 2018 Melbourne Osaka. In this race, Hine and Glenn Myler, are out to take the race record.

"Well, "I'm hoping we can touch it up," Hine says of the record.

"Every day now we are converting Alive," he says fresh from taking line honours and winning IRC in Tasmania's Bruny Island Race.

Tasmania born and bred, Hine and Myler have 84 years of sailing experience between them and have known each other for around 12 years.

"We want to be at Docklands around 9th of March and hopefully we're completely satisfied with our preparation by then. Our boat is hydraulically run - so how much fuel do you carry? We have a 420sqm spinnaker; can we use it? If we can't, what's the next best thing?

"The medical kit - Glenn recently went to Victoria to learn all the race's mandatory medical things from the event doctor, like how to give an injection. He'll also be taking care of photos and anything to do with the computer. I'll concentrate on the sailing side.

"We can't use a foil for headsails, so we had to change over to hanks. There's a lot to think about. Reefing usually requires five people on this boat - so how do you do that with two?

"Working out how to pick up a man overboard - if one of us fell over the side, a lot to practice and think about."

As to entertainment, Hine says laughing, "I'm concerned about what Neptune is going to do to Glenn when we reach the equator. That will be entertaining..."

Hine has done lots of long ocean miles racing and delivering. Asian circuits, McKay Hong Kong, China Sea, the Transpac, from which he sailed the boat from Hawaii back to Australia.

"Phil (Alive's Tasmanian owner, Phil Turner) is wrapped the boat is doing the race and he'll be there to meet us at the end."

The Melbourne Osaka, Hine said, "Has been a bucket list race for me. I've spent most my life thinking about it. It's a special race."

The Melbourne Osaka Cup start line is off Portsea. Slower yachts are in the earlier start, while the faster models go last. The race is organised by the Melbourne Osaka Organising Authority in conjunction and with support from the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria, Sandringham Yacht Club and Osaka Hokko Yacht Club in Japan.

Australia's longest ocean race, the Melbourne Osaka Cup is seeking a Naming Rights sponsor. For more information, please contact: George Shaw, phone: +61 411 464 802

Once under way, you can follow the race on the tracker at: race.bluewatertracks.com/2025-melbourne-osaka-cup-double-handed-race.

For all information on the Melbourne Osaka Cup, please visit: melbourneosakacup.com/en/home.