Osaka Cup 2007 -

25 April 2007

Day 32: Tables continue to turn – COCORIN back in lead   

As at the 4.00pm AEST sked, a number of tables have turned in the Melbourne Osaka race over the last eight hours, most significantly, the Japanese 16m schooner COCORIN interland has regained the lead with Alex two miles astern and Gusto 26 miles behind the leader.

Itaru Matsunaga and John Bankart are 206nm from the finish line. Now in his home waters, the Japanese skipper may come into his own, knowing the shipping lanes and the strong cross current and may be handling the gales better.

Late this morning, COCORIN’s skipper Itaru Matsunaga reported: "Position 170nm to the entrance of Cape Shionomisaki, 220nm to go to Osaka. Compass course 0, sailing at 8.5 knots, with north-west wind of 10 knots under 50% genoa, one reef in the main, full mizzen.

“Had rough weather last night as a low passed. COCORIN is not good at sailing upwind, but we had her going well with full mizzen. We appreciate all the warm words from our supporters."

RYU-JIN – fgi has taken over the lead in the next group, 675 miles behind the leaders. Dekadence follows the Queenslanders 10nm astern, haven overtaken Tamagomalu to lead her by 4nm.

In the third group, Southern Light has a 25nm lead on Asadori and is quickly running down Hullabaloo. This morning at 8.00am, Jim and Joe O’Keeffe had a handy 42nm buffer over the South Australians on Southern Light, but eight hours later, that has been reduced to 34 miles.

The fourth group remains the same; Ingenue, Wild Boar and Esoterica. Wild Boar was east and abeam of Guam at the sked.

Weather from Roger Badham:
070425 0530Z
Winds are average winds at 10m – no gust.

GALES
SUN 29-TUE 01
A region of gale force SE-S winds likely to develop ahead of a front crossing from west to east.

AREAS AND WIND
SUN 29 29N to 33N and 130E to 134E SE/30-35
MON 30 29N to 34N and 134E to 139E SSE/30-40
TUE 01 east of 138E and north of 31N SSW/30-40

Weather: Saipan, Northern Mariana’s – Wind: ENE at 12 knots

About The Race:
Staged every four years, the Organising Authority for the Melbourne-Osaka Yacht Race is made up of City of Melbourne, City of Osaka Promotional Council, Osaka Hokko Yacht Club, Sandringham Yacht Club and in association with Yachting Australia.

The event was first held in 1987 to commemorate the 120th anniversary of the opening of the Port of Osaka and celebrates the sister city relationship between Melbourne and Osaka.

Race Record:
Grant Wharington and Scott Gilbert on the 50ft Wild Thing in 1995, in the time of 26 days 20 hours 47 minutes 6 seconds, with an average boat speed of 8.5 knots.

See Argos tracker positions at UTC 0.6.00.00 (4pm AEST & 3pm JPN Wednesday April 25) on this site.

Di Pearson