Melbourne Osaka Cup Thursday evening sked 21 March 2013. At the 7.00 pm sked, all 3 boats were battling 25 knot headwinds; Escapade more than 180 nautical miles off Ulladulla on the NSW coast, Southern Cross, almost due east of Gabo Island and 150 miles offshore and Turbulence still in Bass Strait, to the north of Flinders Is and heading east.

Turbulence should manage a heading further north east by late Thursday night, but the wind off the NSW coast is likely to remain in the north through until Saturday morning.

Gusto returns from qualifier.

Whilst some of the fleet have settled down to racing and watches, others are in last minute preparation mode.

Gusto left the Yarra on Monday morning, arrived back at Docklands midday Wednesday after completing their qualifying sail.

Gusto arrives back in the river after completing her qualifier

Melbourne Osaka Cup 2013 - Turbulence past The Prom

At the 0700 sked this morning, Turbulence was past Wilson’s Prom, with their website Tracker finally working. The wind had just turned west at 25 knots, giving them a good boost towards Gabo.

Escapade still well out to sea, 120 nautical miles off the east coast but now managing a more northerly heading with a 25 knot north-north-westerly and Southern Cross still about 100 miles behind and closer in to the coast.

The northerly should continue through until Friday for these 2 boats while Turbulence has the advantage of the westerly across the Gippsland coast .

Melbourne Osaka Ciup 2013 - Sunset aboard Southern Cross 19 March 2013

Position - 37°44'S 150°11'E.
Weather - North 16 knots.
Course/Speed - 45 degrees 6 knots.
Sail - Main, full Genoa
Crew – All well
We’re headed for Taupo 400 miles ahead to pick up the ocean current. Yesterday around 11am I took down the Genneka when the wind died and I set a Genoa.
The wind became too strong as it turned around to the northeast. I turned east on a port tack but an ocean current from the north was strong and so we changed to a starboard tack and was able to get closer to the mainland. Approaching the coast, I changed again to a port tack as we travelled east. The wind is tending northeast as it leaves the mainland and just aims us at Taupo. Last night the wind sometimes exceeded 20 knots but generally runs at around 15 knots.
Today was a particularly beautiful sunrise and for 360°the sky was dyed orange. The clouds make us feel that summer has passed and autumn is on the way.

Anyway, the moon is in its first quarter now isn't it?
As the moon sets it shines red like the sun on the horizon with not a cloud to be seen in the sky.
Aboard Southern Cross we’re inclined to the right a little now, occasionally beaten by a wave.
Yasu