The international entrants continue, with the boat KIHO, a Class 40, skippered by Hiroshi Kitada & co skipper Ms Ai Yoshitomi entering the 2025 Melbourne Osaka Cup this week. An experienced skipper and boat competing over the past 8 years in the Rolex Fastnet, Route du Rhum, Transat and more recently the Ogasawara Race. Hiroshi “sails to inspire other Japanese, especially younger ones to do the same”.
Hiroshi started sailing at age 40, first owning a cruiser. It was after his first race that his motivation changed setting his sights on racing and when he moved to yacht ‘Class 40’ which he describes as the “ocean racing machine” and a desire to be more adventurous. With his inspiration in mind, Hiroshi is a key player in the Japanese Ocean Sailors Association and assists with running their Safety & Sea Survival Courses.
The race is now on for those thinking of entering this truly unique ocean race. With our current entrants spanning seven Pacific nations, this race provides a inspiring challenge to sail double-handed, 5500nm through multiple weather patterns and it’s only possible to those who enter prior to the end of September 2024. You can do so here: https://melbourneosakacup.com/en/race-docs-2025/
Photo JOSA Association