For Cyrus Allen and Lillian Stewart, the journey to Osaka isn’t just a race; it is the culmination of dreams, passions, and preparation aboard the Beneteau First 50, White Spirit.
We catch up with Cyrus and Lillian as they finalise their preparation for this coming weekend’s Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV) dash across Bass Strait to the Tasmanian town of Devonport.
“White Spirit is a racing-cruiser by design, but for the Melbourne Osaka Cup, it has been modified ” explained Lillian. Over the past year, Cyrus and Lillian have completed major refits and designs to suit the requirements for the category 1+ race, ensuring provisions, spare parts, and new systems will provide the duo everything they need for 30-40 days at sea. The boat has also been fitted with a new bowsprit, installing fresh sails, and modifying the rigging, electronics, and autohelm. Every addition and adjustment has been made with care and precision, with each part of the boat reviewed to understand its function and how it works.
“The most challenging part of the whole campaign has been cramming all the learning and proficiencies into 12-ish months. For example, oceanic navigation using new tools, understanding major weather and current systems, knowing the boat’s components in greater detail to be truly self-reliant should anything go wrong. And let’s not forget, allocating enough time to truly perfect Grant Dunoon’s pressure cooker rice protocol!”, said Cyrus
In addition, Cyrus and Lillian have sought advice from past competitors and experienced short-handed sailors, gathering every tip, trick, and piece of hard-earned wisdom they could, then applying it to their preparation.
“We’ve created a community that’s passionate about assisting with the preparation,” explains Cyrus, “from Wilksie Marine overseeing the servicing of vital components of the boat, help from fellow club and past crew members and ongoing support from Will and Michelle at DYSC marine supplies, all on hand to do odd jobs when needed.”
Having previously lived and worked in Japan, Cyrus says, “the allure of the Osaka race immediately sparked a sense of intrigue and nostalgia.” He goes on to say that the opportunity to complete the journey from his home country to one he considers a second home—and on his own boat—was one he knew he had to seize.
For Lillian, the race offered an equally compelling draw. Deep into her PhD research on marine and plastic pollution in ocean ecosystems, the ocean is both her office and sanctuary. Lillian explains, “Being isolated, remote, and at one with the open sea feels natural. And the idea of gathering citizen science data along the way—samples that could contribute to global research—is a great opportunity.”
Joining Cyrus was an easy decision for Lillian. Having sailed on White Spirit for some time, she felt confident in both the boat and her co-skipper. She salutes her former mentor and fellow competitor, Richard Grant on Magellan, who introduced her to the world of sailing years ago.
Now, with five months left, they’re ramping up their training with the Melbourne to Devonport race, the Three Hummocks race, the Melbourne to Hobart, and extended sessions on the often-challenging waters of Bass Strait—each one a building block toward Osaka.
As they prepare to cross oceans and encounter a myriad of environments, they’re encouraging fellow competitors to join in Lillian’s citizen science quest, gathering data for researchers worldwide.
This race isn’t just a test of skill; it’s a journey with purpose, adventure, and an unwavering connection to the ocean they both love.
Team White Spirit can be followed on Instagram at @2_hands_2_osaka