Breeze please

Race leaders are into their fourth day of light winds in the two handed Melbourne Osaka race

Four days of light breezes in the Solomon Islands and fresh southeasterlies further down the track has turned the Melbourne Osaka doublehanded yacht race into a game of frustration for the front runners and given the rest a good opportunity to play catch up.

However, Roger Badham’s latest weather analysis has already given all a reprieve, as those behind the Japanese leader COCORIN interland continue to close the gap. Tamagomalu, Dekadence and Hullabaloo are best placed, but have suffered a mixture of light airs and squalls.

Aboard the line honours leader, Japanese 16m schooner COCORIN interland, a thwarted Itaru Matsunaga commented late yesterday: "All we need is wind! It is fine weather, but no wind! Around 1600 hours on April 4, we sailed into the calm and have been in the calm ever since. Boat speed is 3 knots with full genoa, full mail and full mizzen, sea very flat."

However, weather predictions show more breeze on the course today (see latest weather report towards end of page).

This morning Matsunaga and John Bankart are to the west of Motupena Point in the Solomon Islands, their lead gradually diminishing, as those behind play catch up.

Those close to the leader mirrored Matsunaga’s thoughts. Tamagomalu’s Makoto Hisamatsu reporting: "We did not move much last night."

On Asadori, Shinsuke Nishi begged: "We haven't moved at all! Please get us wind even it is weak!"

On the reverse side, Wild Boar’s Shozi Yoneda reported late yesterday from their position well to the east of Cape York; home to the famous Great Dividing Range and Great Barrier Reef: "Our mainsail is reefed. We are in a storm and sailing at 9-10 knots."

Dekadence’s crew, Phil Coombs/Peter Walsh, within spitting distance of Yamba entry Hullabaloo, both around 22nm from second placed Tamagomalu, reported a visit from the Easter Bunny yesterday. Thing is, does it break the race rules - does a bunny constitute outside assistance? Coombs admitted: Easter Bunny dropped in to see us and helped by steering for a few hours - was great to see him.

"We have passed New Guinea, Louisiades, and are heading north-west to New England Passage, which is gap between New Guinea and Solomon’s, now only 300 nautical miles away in light and fluky conditions. We are already experiencing Tropical conditions. For example, last night we had 25+ knot squalls, electrical storms - awesome light show - just wish we weren't so close!

"Glass-outs; becalmed for six hours and winds from 360 degrees ranging from 3-5 knots, not to mention rain showers. Actually, they shouldn't be called showers, as they bucket inches of rain within half an hour with large drops... Incredible - as long as you aren't on watch at the time!

"This is a taste of what is to come, no doubt. Every day is a different experience and quite an adventure. However, it is warm at night and hot during the day. You can't be barefoot on deck any more, so no nude sailing for Pee Wee either - thank goodness. I wouldn't be putting burn cream on him! It will be a big challenge getting through this passage over the next three days, as the whole fleet will bunch up and hit the same wall as COCORIN.

"Today (Sunday) we used our Code Zero for the first time - awesome! It will be a big asset over the next week or so. We are trucking down the rhumbline at 7 knots boat speed, and considering the breeze, it is fantastic. We are looking forward to good progress now."

Patrick Giudice/Brian Pattinson have Gusto back on the race track, having left Honiara early this morning, their gooseneck repaired. Currently the pair is in eighth place on line behind their Victorian counterparts on Ingenue.

No noted line honours position changes over the last 24 hours, but Queensland’s RYU-JIN-fgi is off Cape Capricorn and sailing fast, catching up the miles. Murray Bucknall/Jon Sayer are 28nm behind fellow Queenslanders, Campbell Reynolds/David Best on the Martz 46 Esoterica and gaining.

At the back end of the fleet, Southern Light was abeam of Repulse Bay, part of the Great Barrier Reef in Queensland, 220nm behind nearest rival RYU-JIN-fgi. Tom Crabb and Trent Justice have a lot of miles to make up and the next couple of days may be their best opportunity, as a number traverse the tricky tactical passage between New Guinea and the Solomon’s.

Weather:

An area of gales is likely on the southwest side of a trough line lying from 9S 147E to 18S 156E. Gales or near gales from Sunday 8 to Wednesday 11.

Mond 09
SE winds of 30-35 knots southwest of line from 12S 148E and 18S 153E

Tues 10
SE winds of 30-35 knots southwest of line 14S 148E and 19S 152E

Later An area of near gales with SE winds of 30 knots is expected to persist on the south side of the trough line from Friday 13 to Sunday 15. Areas bounded by 12S to 17S and 152E to 160E

ARGOS tracker positions at UTC 22.00.00 (8am AEST & 7am JPN Monday April 9):
COCORIN interland (Itaru Matsunaga/John Bankart), Tamagomalu (Makoto Hisamatsu/Jimmi Doherty), Dekadence (Phil Coombs/Peter Walsh), Hullabaloo (Jim and son Joe O’Keeffe), Asadori (Shinsuke Nishi/Kyojun Fujita), Alex (Jock and son Hamish MacAdie), Ingenue (David James and wife Rosie Colahan), Wild Boar (Shozi Yuneda/Jun Kanda), Esoterica (Campbell Reynolds/David Best), RYU-JIN (Murray Bucknall/Jon Sayer), Southern Light (Tom Crabb/Trent Justice), Gusto (Patrick Giudice/Brian Pattinson – in Honiara to repair gooseneck), Cadi (John and son David Netherton, retired), Wasabi (Ken Down/Shane Gaddes – retired), Runaway (James Ryssenbeek/Andrew McCole – retired), Pippin (Roger Sayers/Anthony Bown – retired).