With every Osaka Cup since the first race in 1987, the number of boats who sign up for the event and the number of eventual starters has varied greatly. For example as we saw in our History article about the 1995 race, 50 entries were initially registered but only 28 boats eventually started.
Our 2018 Sundance Marine Melbourne Osaka Cup was fully subscribed early in 2016 with a number of entries on a waiting list. By the time fees were due to be paid a number had dropped out but our entries we’re still close to 30, the maximum number of non Japanese boats allowed. Preparation for both boat and crew have been intense as the start date early next year looms, however for our 2018 event we’ve also had our share of withdrawals and unfortunately most of them has been due to illness by one of the crew.
Rattle and Hum was the first of these back in August followed a few weeks later by news from Last Hurrah that they’d be reluctantly withdrawing. The latest of these was as recent as last week when First Light skipper Robert Giblin informed race organisers that due to his co-skipper Greg Koennecke having just been diagnosed with cancer, they would be withdrawing. That’s terrible news all round and we wish Greg the very best and a speedy recovery.
Alongside this batch of bad news, we do however have some positive news as well. Over the weekend it’s been announced that the Judel Vrolijk designed 62 footer Chinese Whisper will join the fleet and race to Osaka. An addition such as this should add a new dimension to our 2018 race. More news on this entry will be posted as it comes to hand. So if you’re reading this, your boat is ready to start and you wish you were heading to Osaka next March, there’s probably still time and a place in the fleet for you.
