For 65 days of racing, our incredible Melbourne-based On-Water Management volunteer team was on call 24/7. Many had already been hard at work months before the race began, and continued long after it ended. Most are proud members of the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria, giving their time and expertise to make the Melbourne Osaka Race possible.
This week, we finally had the opportunity to bring the wider Melbourne team together for a well-deserved Japanese-themed thank-you celebration. For many, it was the first time meeting face-to-face after working side by side remotely throughout the race.
Over 70 dedicated volunteers formed the backbone of our race operations, comprising Race Directors, Incident Managers, Weather and Medical Experts, Media, Auditors, and the Jury, all united by a shared passion for sailing, safety, and supporting this unique double-handed race.
These longer-distance events offer more than just adventure. They provide opportunities to build skills, test protocols, and innovate. Our race directors, incident managers and medical team developed new practices that will help shape safer, better-managed sailing events worldwide.
The Melbourne Osaka Cup is a volunteer-led effort, powered by passionate individuals from both Australia and Japan, who generously support ocean racing on a global scale.
A highlight of the night was definitely the heartfelt video messages from competitors, reminding us all why we do this: for the love of sailing, the camaraderie, and the spirit of adventure.
To all our volunteers: thank you. You are the heart of the race.
Competitor video below.
Photo: Group Shaun McKenna,
A special thank you
