A game of Snakes and Ladders at Sea for Melbourne Osaka Cup entrants
by Melbourne Osaka Cup 12 Mar 19:41 NZDT
12 March 2025
Sophie (right) and Annette entertained and inspired a crowd - Melbourne Osaka Cup © John Dynan
The race to Osaka is unfolding like a high-stakes game of snakes and ladders, with shifting winds and ocean currents playing a crucial role in the sailors' fortunes along the Australian eastern coastline.
Meanwhile, crews from the next two starts continue their preparations, lining up for media opportunities, and bid farewell to loved ones.
Last night, the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria and Royal Brighton Yacht Club, treated a crowd to an inspiring talk by Fika's crew, Annette Hesselman and her daughter Sophie Snijders.
Meanwhile, the Reichel Pugh 66, 'Alive', which will start its race to Osaka on March 30, departed Hobart, cruising at speeds of up to 16.9 knots, whilst sending us 'postcards' of their 'holiday' cruise to Melbourne.
The first four yachts racing towards Osaka are battling unpredictable currents and shifting winds after the effects of Cyclone Alfred.
After 10 days at sea, the S&S 34 Curious Roo has finally latched onto the back eddies of the Australian Eastern Current, riding north toward strengthening easterlies and the southern trade winds off Port Macquarie.
Further back, three days into their race, the Japanese IMX40 Zero leads the second group of starters. Having finally broken free from strong southerly currents around the Victorian border, and must now navigate a patch low wind region north of Bega.
With current and winds not favouring them, Jon Sayer aboard the J99, Learning to Fly sent a wry message to those still waiting to start: "Don't come, there's no wind out here."
Crews racing are working hard and making tough decisions—choosing the best route to gain an advantage over both currents and wind as they look forward to finally reaching the southern trades.
Back on land, having competed in the Melbourne Osaka Cup in 2018, there's wisdom at play with Annette Hesselman reflecting on her experience in the last race, sharing a hard-earned lesson: "Japan is a very long way... in a very small boat."
Annette playfully added that she and Sophie have the rhythm, confidence, and skill to be "waiting at the finish line when the others arrive."
As the race unfolds, it's clear that the fastest course isn't always the most direct. Finding the right balance—riding the currents north, catching the wind, and transitioning into the southern trade winds—will be key for the front-runners. But even then, smooth sailing is never guaranteed... especially when the doldrums lie ahead.
Follow the fleet via the race tracker race.bluewatertracks.com/2025-melbourne-osaka-cup-double-handed-race.
And Facebook page www.facebook.com/Osakacup2018.
Learn more about the race and whose racing melbourneosakacup.com/en/home.