Member Spotlight—Masayuki Kobayashi
Kobi – friendship can take you further
Kobi on the bow at the start of the 2025 Melbourne Osaka Race / Photo Al Dillon
Let’s welcome Kobi, one of our newest members, who has travelled from Japan for the upcoming Rudder Cup, 3 Hummock Island and Melbourne to Hobart races as crew on White Spirit.
There is a quiet sense of gratitude today as we chat with Kobi and he reflects on the journey that has brought him back to Australian waters. A competitor in the 2025 Melbourne to Osaka Yacht Race, crewing for Mr Yamada aboard Zero, he never imagined that race would lead to new friendships, opportunities and a return to compete in Australia’s oldest (The Rudder Cup) and Victoria’s great ocean race (Melbourne to Hobart).
“When I set off in the 2025 Melbourne Osaka race, I thought that I would likely never return to Melbourne again,” he recalls.
Kobi on the bow of Zero / Photo Al Dillon
“I am by no means a famous sailor in Japan,” says Kobi. Yet friendships forged through the Melbourne to Osaka Yacht Race, sparked by a simple, friendly “Konichiwa” at the Festival of Sails at a time that Kobi was feeling somewhat homesick, opened the door to a very personal connection with White Spirit skipper Cyrus Allen.
The connection continued well beyond the race. When White Spirit arrived in Japan, Kobi helped the crew prepare the yacht for its journey home, assisting with repairs and drawing on his practical engineering skills. Now, that friendship has come full circle, with White Spirit skipper Cyrus Allen inviting Kobi to join the crew for their upcoming races.
“I knew that sailing was a major sport in Australia, but I assumed it was a world that had nothing to do with me,” a surprised and humbled Kobi reflects.
Kobi's return brings him into the world of the Rudder Cup, Australia's oldest ocean race, and the Melbourne to Hobart, Victoria's great ocean-racing challenge.
“At first, I knew only a little about the Rudder Cup. I assumed it was simply a qualification requirement for entering the Melbourne to Hobart race,” he explained having now a greater understanding of the significance of both races.
“I intend to do everything I possibly can in each race,” he says.
Although Kobi brings sailing experience of his own, joining a new boat means learning its particular systems, procedures and crew dynamics.
As we speak, Kobi digs into his bag and comes back holding up three manuals prepared for White Spirit and the upcoming races, impressed by the level of detail.
“I've never experienced anything like this on a Japanese boat before.”
Back home, he is often the youngest member of the crew, taking on roles such as headsail trimmer or working on the foredeck and bow. He explains that in Japan, people often rely on “reading the air,” gauging the unspoken context, so documents like this almost never appear.”
“Each boat is different, so whilst I know how to reef, it's great to see the White Spirit preferred way of doing things.”
“I intend to do everything I possibly can in each race.”
“I would like to be able to provide help or take the lead as appropriate, depending on the situation,” he says.
In Japan, “I used to race motor bikes. Yacht racing was for the owner as I’m only crew. With limited holidays in Japan, I thought I could learn more about sailing by cruising around our local waters in Hiroshima.” explained Kobi.
After joining the Primadonna crew, he quickly expanded his experience, sailing a variety of boats, including an A40, Sprint 10.8, Platu 25 and J/24.
Since arriving back into Japan after the Osaka race, Kobi has taken on a new challenge, combining knowledge as an engineer with experience repairing motor bikes and yachts to develop a new business “Marine Services Kobi” servicing the Hiroshima region.
Crossing the open ocean has also changed how he sees himself as a sailor.
“Having now crossed the open ocean twice, I'm less afraid than I used to be, simply because I've experienced it. That said, imagining situations that go beyond what I've already been through does still feel a bit frightening.”
“I hope that everyone can race in a fun and safe manner.” as he comments on the upcoming races.
From a simple “Konichiwa” to a return to Australian ocean racing, Kobi's story is a reminder that sometimes the most rewarding part of a race is the friendship that takes you further than you ever expected.
Surprised by the detailed manuals / Photo ORCV Media
Welcome Kobi to the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria community. We appreciate the effort you’ve taken to be part of these upcoming races.
