Rod Gunther (left) and Peter Tardrew, were pictured recently on board Quest their Nelson Marek 43, getting ready for the 2025 Melbourne Osaka Cup. Sixteen months out from the start, their preparations are well under way, with modifications to the boat making it more user-friendly for short-handed sailing.
Rod’s a first-time competitor to Osaka with Peter previously competing in 2003 on board The Wizard with David Tait. Knowing and trusting your sailing partner is key with any long distance race, especially when there are only two onboard. Peter and Rod first met in 1979 sailing Sharpies and have gone onto work on many projects, including building Peter’s first house.
Now with their latest project, from January 2024 Rod and Peter plan to compete in all the ORCV events as they work their way up to the March 2025 start. They ticked off another of the requirements recently when they completed their Safety and Sea Survival Course with ORCV. Entries for the 2025 Melbourne to Osaka race can be made here
Photos – Rod Tanner & ORCV