Blue Water Tracks have made it to Osaka. Grant and Sue on Blue Water Tracks finished the Melbourne to Osaka Yacht race tonight at 22:40:11 JST (23:40:11 AEST) in an elapsed time of 48d 9h 10m 11s.
Never showing any sign of giving up, Grant and Sue continued to head north regardless of the technical problems that confronted them earlier in the race. It was a lonely existence for them but they turned the race into a test of endurance, both physical and emotional. Determined to finish they pushed on in the fickle and light conditions that are the doldrums, hearing of parties going on in Osaka without them.
Unfortunately their corrected time will take a hammering thanks to two 20% penalties imposed by the independent international jury due to Outside Assistance. This was a further blow to them but again it seemed to strengthen their resolve.
At OHYC late on Sunday evening, Club members and fellow competitors put on a party like no other. They celebrated this fantastic achievement, the spirit which is the Osaka race. They will also celebrate safe passage of all competitors in this 2018 event and wrap up a marathon effort by all involved.
In the Melbourne Osaka Cup, To Finish is to Win, so congratulations Grant and Sue you deserve our respect.
Photos by Yama-Chan