Please select your home edition
Edition
Palm Beach Motor Yachts

Alive makes clean sweep in the 2025 Melbourne Osaka Cup

by Melbourne Osaka Media 3 May 14:05 UTC 3 May 2025
Alive finishing - 2025 Melbourne Osaka Cup © Kazuyoshi Yamano

The Reichel/Pugh 66 Alive, skippered by Duncan Hine and co-skipper Glenn Myler, has made a clean sweep of Line Honours, AMS, PHS and ORCi in the 2025 Melbourne to Osaka Cup.

Crossing the finish line in an impressive 22 days, 22 hours, 48 minutes, and 15 seconds, Alive had their sights on breaking the current race record of 21 days, 12 hours, 41 minutes, and 13 seconds, set by Chinese Whisper in 2018. Despite falling short, the Tasmanian-based yacht and crew's performance was nothing short of exceptional.

For skipper Duncan Hine, this race had long been on his sailing bucket list.

"It's been a dream for some time, being the only double-handed race that leaves Australia. I had it down to do in 2018, but life got in the way," Hine said.

"You really have to be honest with yourself and fully commit to this race, it's a journey of self-discovery", said Hine, having just finished the race.

"I didn't come into the race to do a clean sweep but had my eyes on having a go at the race record" which is awarded based on elapsed time, not who arrives first into Osaka.

Alive started two weeks after the main fleet in the unique staggered start format of the race, where slower boats depart first, with the chase giving them motivation to also push hard as they passed six of the earlier starters before Osaka.

The early stages of the race were not without challenges. An intense east coast low system saw Alive play it safe in Bass Strait.

"It's a hard boat to sail with just two crew, and doing it safely was our priority. So we backed off the pace until we cleared the low," Hine explained.

The doldrums, with their unpredictable winds, and finding those winds north of the Solomons, which were further north than predicted, added another layer of difficulty.

And as they closed in on Osaka, a dying breeze turned the final stretch into a test of patience and persistence.

"We were just two hours out and made the finishing radio call multiple times, as the wind completely vanished. It was incredibly frustrating," Hine said.

Despite the challenges, Hine believes Alive delivered a strong attempt at the record.

"It's a race where the boat, the weather, and the crew all have to be performing at their peak. I think we gave it a valiant effort."

Alive will be remembered not only for their sailing prowess and results but will be remembered by many as the champion team who freely shared their sailing tips and commentary on their sail setups, how to avoid chaffing of halyards and providing us all with theatrics whilst they crossed the equator and a great laugh as 'cousin Glenn' meet King Neptune and became a shellback.

Never a dull moment for these two lads from Tasmania who did themselves proud, pushing themselves and the boat all the way to Osaka.

A humble Hine and Myler accepted the award, acknowledging the competitors and race organisers for the effort it takes by all to put on this amazing race.

Top 3 Results:

AMS

  • 1st Kate Mitchell Perpetual Trophy - Alive (Duncan Hine & Glenn Myler) and Overall Winner
  • 2nd - Magellan (Richard & Megan Grant)
  • 3rd - Quest (Peter Tardrew & Rod Gunther)

PHS

  • 1st Colin Smith Memorial Trophy - Alive (Duncan Hine and Glenn Myler)
  • 2nd - Blue Moon (Ken and Tristan Gourlay)
  • 3rd - Magellan (Richard and Megan Grant)

ORCi

  • 1st - Friendship Bowl - Alive (Duncan Hine & Glenn Myler)
  • 2nd - Zero (Katsuhiro Yamada & Masayuki Kobayashi)
  • 3rd - 1122Trekkee (Hajime Nitta & Sonosuke Noda)

Line Honours (lowest elapsed time) Alive (Duncan Hine & Glenn Myler)

Full results here

Related Articles

Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode Four
Episode Four - Mark Elkington, The Yacht Sales Co. - is now up and running Watch along as we speak with Mark Elkington from The Yacht Sales Co. about his transition from a West Australian crayfisherman to a global sales and support organisation par excellence. Posted on 30 May
All the hurricane preparation info boaters need
Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1 Recreational boaters whose vessels have been impacted by a hurricane and came out relatively unscathed know it all starts with a plan. Posted on 29 May
Hull 68 progresses on all fronts
Interior and structural systems take shape Hull 68 continues to come together with detailed advancements from the anchor locker to the bridge surround. Up forward, the anchor locker chamber is prepped for its topcoat while the bulkhead is already painted and ready for install. Posted on 29 May
6th Daily's Old School Kingfish Shootout Preview
Family Fishing Fun returns on June 14th! One of the largest kingfish tournaments in the world registers hundreds of anglers from across the Southeast to participate in the annual event at Vilano Beach Fishing Pier. Posted on 24 May
Bulwarks and Bulldust – watch Episode Three
Episode Three - Greg Haines, Princess Yachts Australia - is now up and running Episode Three - Greg Haines, Princess Yachts Australia - is now up and running Posted on 24 May
Maritimo S60 Sedan Motor Yacht - Global launch
Enhancements to both the exterior and interior deliver great appeal Leading Australian luxury motor yacht manufacturer, Maritimo, will proudly display the first S60 Sedan Motor Yacht at the 2025 Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show. Posted on 21 May
Maritimo M50 Flybridge Motor Yacht - Global launch
Setting the benchmark in long-range cruising motor yachts Maritimo, Australia's world-class luxury motor yacht builder, expands its next generation model line-up with the global launch of the all-new M50 Flybridge Motor Yacht at the Sanctuary Cove International Boat Show, May 2025. Posted on 21 May
Top 10 baits from Lake Guntersville
Classic, main-river ledge fishing was good, pros slurped fish up off shallower places The Toyota Series Presented by Phoenix Boats Central Division event on Lake Guntersville was a great tournament, where all sorts of patterns worked. Posted on 21 May
Evolving an icon - Yellowfin's new video series
Building boats that deliver unmatched performance and unforgettable adventures on the water We're excited to introduce Evolving an Icon, a new video series that gives you a behind the scenes look at our process. The goal? Building boats that deliver unmatched performance and unforgettable adventures on the water, season after season. Posted on 20 May
Navigating in unfamiliar waters
When it comes to navigation, most of us simply rely on our Global Positioning Systems (GPS) There was a time when every car had a map and every boat had a chart. As Global Positioning System (GPS) displays became a standard feature, maps and charts have become somewhat obsolete. Posted on 19 May
Maritimo 2023 S-Series FOOTERPalm Beach Motor Yachts