Melbourne Osaka Cup - Status

Whilst Escapade is out north of New Caledonia, three other yachts are finding it a bit tougher and need to stop to effect repairs.

Winds and seas have impacted three competitors:

• Optimus Prime lost their forestay and have carefully motored across to Eden, and now the wind has turned are progressing to Sydney for repairs.
• Southern Cross lost steering cables and have motored to Brisbane for replacements.
• Gusto has blown out their tuffluff and will stop for a replacement later - probably in Brisbane.

All crew are well - and all yachts hope to resume racing.  They are undoubtedly keen to understand what penalties will be applied by the international jurors.

A flexible penalty system was confirmed only a short time before the first of these mechanical failures ocurred!

Donald Fraser