Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

The Osaka Cup doublehanded yacht race is held every four years on average, and extends 5500 nm from Melbourne, Australia to Osaka, Japan. With staggered starts from March 2 to 31, the 17 entrants will pass through multiple weather systems and seasons as it crosses the Pacific Ocean.

It’s a long race, but from their start on March 9, the IMX-40 yacht Zero is on final approach and poised to be the first yacht to cross the finish line… provided they successfully navigate the remaining challenges.

Reaching Osaka is no simple feat. As they approach Japan, first comes the powerful Kuroshio Current, a swift, warm ocean current running north along Japan’s eastern coastline. Then comes the gauntlet of shipping traffic, ferries, fishing boats, and seaweed farms.

Since maintaining a proper look-out can be a challenge for shorthanded sailing, and that race boats may not always operate at a safe speed to avoid collision, the COLREGS – international rules to keep boats safe – can get forgotten in pursuit of victory. Hope for the best, prepare for the worst.