Melbourne to Osaka Double Handed Race 2013 – Wednesday evening.

After Optimus Prime’s finish just before 10.00 this morning and Wasabi just before 4.00 pm, Escapade still had 5 miles to go at 9.00 tonight – getting close, but the wind is getting lighter. Family and friends are waiting eagerly at the finish.

With 60 miles to go at 9.00 pm, and still with a decent south westerly, Cadibarra should finish early in the morning, but still has to cope with the vagaries of Osaka Bay weather.

At the 6.00 pm sked, Spirit of Downunder’s  message read “Only 188 miles to go – Hallelujah!”. They’re still making good speed, but I suspect they were measuring the distance to Osaka Bay rather than the finish line.

 Gusto will be within 500 miles of the finish by morning and report all well and Turbulence is still getting their 9+ knots of boat speed in a 15 – 20 knot easterly.

There has still been no report from Funnelweb since yesterday morning. Both Turbulence and Gusto have been in close proximity to them over the past 2 days and Funnelweb should be somewhere between those 2 boats.

Kiss Goodbye to MS left Saipan a couple of hours ago, with about 8 days to go to Osaka. Southern Cross is east of Saipan and about 70 miles behind KG2MS.

Watch the tracker overnight for updates.