Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 M600 LEADERBOARD

Twelve boats to start 10,200 km Melbourne Oaska Marathon on Sunday

by Melbourne Osaka Cup 14 Mar 09:47 UTC 16 March 2025
Enjoy the Tasman Sea on Zero 14th March - Melbourne Osaka Cup © Ocean Racing Club of Victoria

With two days to go, crews in the 2025 Melbourne Osaka Cup two-handed yacht race are starting to feel the tension building. But even between the two crew members of each yacht, reactions are different.

"I can't wait to get out there actually", says Kevin Le Poidevin, co-skipper of "Roaring Forty".

Le Poidevin's co-skipper and friend from their military days, Darrell Greig, has a different view, "I'm getting a little bit anxious", he says. "I tend to get over-exuberant and throw another sail up."

Tristan Gourlay competed in the Melbourne Osaka in 2018 and, with his father, Ken, will co-skipper their 16.4 metre "Blue Moon II" in this year's event.

"We haven't got an incredibly fast boat", says Ken. "We'd just like to finish and not shame ourselves."

That Corinthian spirit is echoed by Tristan, "We're sort of hoping (to finish) around the mid-fleet".

"It's a long race, and anything can happen."

Competitors will spend up to five weeks aboard, doing watches of two or three hours on and off watch for the duration.

"Our plan is to try and settle into a routine as quickly as we possibly can", says co-skipper of Joker X2, Peter Dowdney.

"We'll try and get some sleep, although I very much doubt we will in the first 48 hours."

Between now and the start at Portsea on Sunday afternoon, the major focus will be on the weather. "It's essentially seven different eco-systems on the way up", says Cyrus Allen, co-skipper of "White Spirit".

"I think the navigational aspects and judging the weather and figuring out where to place the boat in a few days time will come down to one of the most important things for us to do."

This is the ninth edition of the Melbourne Osaka Cup and celebrates the sister city relationship.

"Osaka is now our longest-standing sister city relationship - representing a partnership that has endured more than 45 years", says Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nick Reece.

This is also the first race since the passing of former Lord Mayor and avid sailor, Trevor Huggard.

"Trevor is credited with reviving our sister-city relationship, in part, by championing the inaugural Melbourne to Osaka Yacht Race in 1987."

The crew of "Roaring Forty", are not just racing for themselves but for awareness of Brain Tumour Alliance Australia, Pankind and Soldier On charities.

"We brand our boat, put it on our sails, all at my cost and then we try to raise money through a website fundraising campaign," says Kevin Le Poidevin.

For Darrell Greig, it's particularly special, after losing his sister to pancreatic cancer two years ago.

"I'm going to be spreading some of Rachel's ashes during the race."

The race will start off Portsea Pier on Sunday 16 March at 5:00pm.

More information at melbourneosakacup.com

Related Articles

Sea.AI makes U.S. debut of Watchkeeper
At the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2025 Sea.AI is making waves at the Palm Beach International Boat Show 2025 with the official U.S. launch of Watchkeeper, its newest safety system. Posted on 15 Mar
Crestliner unveils the 2050 Fish Hawk
The newest, largest, and most advanced model in Crestliner's Fish Hawk series Crestliner Boats, a leading aluminum boat builder with a legacy for performance and durability, has announced the launch of the 2050 Fish Hawk. Posted on 14 Mar
Boating/Fishing: Spin Cycle
New Spindrift Fishing Hoodie blends natural Merino wool with added features Now stocking, Whitewater Fishing's innovative new Spindrift Fishing Hoodie blends the natural qualities of premium Merino wool with added features and performance for fishing. Posted on 13 Mar
IGFA honors 2025 annual awards recipients
Highlighting leaders in conservation, sportsmanship, and angling excellence The International Game Fish Association (IGFA), a global nonprofit organization committed to the conservation of game fish and the promotion of responsible, ethical angling practices today announced the 2025 recipients of its prestigious Annual Awards. Posted on 12 Mar
ASA releases new online Trade & Commerce Hub
Dedicated information for decisions which impact the sportfishing industry Given the rapid developments on trade, tariffs and commerce from the Trump administration, ASA has released our new trade and commerce webpage. Posted on 11 Mar
Captain Kleppinger's night battles with tarpon
Russell Kleppinger manages to catch and release over 1,000 tarpon in a 7-month season The most committed angler will stop at nothing to land these nearly 200-pound beasts. Just ask PENN Fleet Captain Russell Kleppinger who manages to catch and release over 1,000 tarpon in a 7-month season. Posted on 9 Mar
"Sober Skipper™: Why It Matters" Series
Sea Tow Foundation releases new video featuring Angler Mike Iaconelli The Sea Tow Foundation™, a nonprofit dedicated to promoting boating safety, has launched the latest video in its "Sober Skipper™: Why It Matters" series, featuring professional bass angler Mike Iaconelli. Posted on 7 Mar
Top 10 baits from the Lake of the Ozarks
Breeden's consistency triumphs in Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Plains Division event at Lake of the Ozarks was one of the toughest events seen in a long time. Across the field, limits were almost impossible to come by - even the Top 10 couldn't guarantee full stringers. Posted on 6 Mar
RemigoOne now available in North America
Award-winning European design set to transform the small outboard market Remigo is proud to announce the North American launch of RemigoOne, the 3HP equivalent electric outboard that has redefined clean, quiet, and easy boating. Posted on 6 Mar
Live now! PENN Films - Episode 3
I am the Ocean, the Ocean Is me From a land rich in culture and out-of-this-world landscapes, a place where towering cliffs and long sandy beaches meet raw and powerful seas. Posted on 6 Mar
Palm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo 2023 M600 FOOTER