Two Tasmanian-lead yachts will contend Australia's longest category one race – the equivalent of eight back-to-back Sydney to Hobart races.
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On Thursday Launceston skipper Jo Breen of Tamar Yacht Club embarked on the Sundance Marine Melbourne Osaka Cup.
At 28-years-old Ms Breen is the youngest skipper participating in the two-handed race and is one of only three women.
She is also aboard the Cup’s smallest yacht, Morning Star, accompanied by co-skipper Peter Brooks of Port Dalrymple Yacht Club.
The pair set sail on Thursday from the Cup’s starting point at Portsea, South of Melbourne.
A 5500 nautical mile handicap race, the pair claimed the immediate status as race leaders as they headed out through Port Phillip heads.
Launceston’s Tristan Gourlay, also of Tamar Yacht Club, will make a start in the Cup on March 25 aboard Force Eleven, accompanied by co-skipper Jamie Cooper.
With an estimated sail time of about 45 days at sea, Ms Breen said she felt ready for the challenge ahead.
“I always get super nervous before a big race,” she said.
“But once we cross the start-line I am so focused on the job at hand that usually goes away.
“I have been working towards this race for about two years, so it is definitely good to finally be at the start-line.”
The Melbourne to Osaka Cup sees participants sail without any stop-overs or assistance.
Competitors also travel backwards through seasons, with autumn in Melbourne, summer at the equator and spring at the finish line in Osaka, Japan.
With 30,000 miles already under her belt including Atlantic and Pacific crossings, Ms Breen said teamwork and preparation were vital to any successful crossing.
“The thing with a race like this is, what we start with is what we have for the entire race,” she said.
“So preparation is vital, because really there is no turning back if we have left something behind.
“The last few weeks have all been about preparation and now we are ready to go.”
With competitors from Australia, Hong Kong and Japan, the Melbourne to Osaka Cup is one of the only South to North long distance ocean races in the world.
Describing it as a “marathon”, Ms Breen said it was an achievement just to get to the start-line.
“At the end of the day, we will be happy just to finish,” she said.
“We might be on the smallest yacht, but sometimes that can play to your advantage.
“Pete and I are both very competitive people, so we will be giving it our best effort the whole way along.”
The Melbourne to Osaka was first held in 1987 and now runs every four years.
Jessica Willard
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
Being a health reporter to me is about more than just reporting the problems. It's about asking why they are happening in the first place and what needs to change to fix it.
