The Melbourne to Osaka Double Handed event uses both the AMS & IRC systems in calculating the handicap for it's competitiors. In order to establish an accurate rating for a boat, a number of measurements need to be taken and one of them is to establish the weight of the vessel. Boat weighing days are conducted from time to time by designated auditors and one such day was held in September at SYC in Melbourne. Three of the 2018 entrants took advantage of the day and lined up to be lifted and weighed. We were there to catch the action.

The annual Hamilton Island Race Week draws boats and crew together from all over the country. George and Robyn were there for the last few days of this year’s event and as you may have seen a few weeks ago, came across Ed and Rachael from 2018 M2O entry Rattle N Hum. Amongst a party atmosphere they conduced this short interview.

ハミルトン アイランド レース ウィークには全国各地からヨットとクルーが来ています。ジョージとロビンは最後の数日間 ここに訪れ、2018 M2O にラトル N ハムで参戦する エドとラケルに遭遇しました。パーティーを楽しむ彼らにインタビューするショートビデオを撮りました。

PredictWind the world leader in forecasting believe that more is better, and have taken the bold step of adding government provided forecasts to their award winning forecasting software.

PredictWind has always offered their proprietary PWG and PWC world leading forecasts on their site for comparison. When the forecasts are similar users can have a higher degree of confidence in forecast accuracy.

Other websites commonly only use the GFS forecast model, a free forecast provided by NOAA, and simply repackage it with their own graphics. In the name of forecast accuracy, PredictWind now provide both the common GFS and CMC forecasts for comparison along with their proprietary high resolution PWG and PWC forecasts.

“By comparing the four models you can have a really high level of confidence in the forecast. The benefit is that, now you don't need to check multiple sites to get this confidence.” says PredictWind CEO, Jon Bilger.

Recently on the Melbourne to Osaka pages, we interviewed Mr Jun Kanda, a competitor in the 2003 and 2007 double handed events. Jun is very active in yachting in his home port of Nagasaki where he runs an Ocean Cruising School and publishes a regular and informative blog. He’s brought to our attention a trip currently under way by a friend of his.

Seventy five year old Mr Ikuo Tateo has recently set sail from Japan on a non stop solo voyage to circumnavigate the world via the western route. Ikuo has lived in Osaka for many years and is well known at the Osaka Hokko Yacht Club. He is doing the voyage in a 30 foot Japanese designed sloop called “Eolia” that he purchased second hand over 40 years ago. Because the voyage will take him down to below 40 degrees south as well as under the Capes, some work has been done to strengthen the boat in several areas.

Ikuo set sail from Ogasawara Island on July 5^th and his latest reported position was 7 deg 21 south 154 deg 30 east which puts him west of Bouganville Island. So far he’s averaged around 80 mile per day and if this continues, it should have him entering Bass Straight later this month. He is in daily contact with Japan via Ham Radio and has an Iridium phone on board.

Having previously circumnavigated the world via the eastern route, Ikuo is certainly proving himself to be a capable sailor. Now about to head down the east coast, a decision has yet to be made as to whether he will take "Eolia" below Tasmania or travel through Bass Straight as he plots his course for Cape Town. More news as it comes to hand.

最新のM2Oサイトに 2003、2007年と 2度の出場経験者であり 母港長崎でオーシャン クルージング スクールを運営し、情報に富んだブログも運営している神田 純 氏のインタビューを掲載しましたが、その神田氏から、我々にとってたいへん興味深い現在進行中の冒険のニュースが届きました。

写真の男性は立尾征男さん（７５歳）。今、西回り単独無寄港世界一周航海に挑戦中です。

ヨットは４０年前に日本でつくられた３０ｆスループを中古で購入、それに独自の改良を加え南緯４０度帯とホーン岬通過のための強化をした エオリアです。

７月５日に小笠原父島を出航し、今日のポジションは南緯７度２１分、東経１５４度３０分、ブーゲンビル島の西です。今のペースで航海すれば（デイラン８０マイルとして）、バス海峡がある南緯４０度帯附近への到達は今月下旬となります。 ほぼ毎日、アマチュア無線あるいはイリジウムで日本と連絡しています。

M2Oと直接の関係はありませんが、彼は大阪に長く住んでいた人でもあり北港ヨットクラブの人たちの中にも名前を知っている人がいます。それは彼が太平洋往復単独航海と東回り単独無寄港世界一周などをすでに成功させたセイラーだからです。ケープタウンへのコースに変える前、バス海峡を通るか、タスマニアの南を通るのかはまだわかりません。

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