10th Melbourne to Osaka Yacht Race to Start in 2030
Organizers are gauging early interest for the upcoming 5,000-nautical-mile double-handed sailing challenge.
Updated on Oct. 27, 2026 in Running
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The 10th Melbourne to Osaka Yacht Race is set to take place in 2030 across 5,000 nautical miles. Organizers have opened an expression-of-interest list, already drawing over 125 entries from 12 different countries.
Why it matters
The event serves as a premier test for double-handed sailing teams, requiring unassisted navigation across the Western Pacific. Sailors use this early planning phase to secure priority invitations before the final field is capped.
The race spans 5,000 nautical miles and is decided by corrected elapsed time across staggered start intervals. Currently, 125 sailors from 12 countries have expressed interest, including six competitors with Japanese connections.
The players
Duncan Hine
He is a professional sailor who secured victory in the 2025 iteration of the Melbourne to Osaka Yacht Race.
Jeremy Walton
He is a competitive yachtsman who has announced his intention to participate in the race aboard his Salacia vessel.
The details
The race is a non-stop, unassisted, double-handed event that occurs every four to five years. Previous winner Duncan Hine plans to compete again, joining other hopefuls like Jeremy Walton, who intends to sail his Endurance 44 yacht named Salacia.
Timeline
November 9, 2026: Q&A session at Royal Yacht Club of Tasmania
November 12, 2026: Q&A session at Cruising Yacht Club of Australia
November 27, 2026: Q&A sessions at Royal Queensland and Hobsons Bay
Early 2027: Race entries are expected to open
2030: The 10th Melbourne to Osaka Yacht Race
Season Trajectory
The 2030 edition continues the multi-year cycle of this endurance challenge, marking a significant milestone in the history of the event. Success in this race remains a career-defining goal that influences competitive standings for ocean racing teams.
Interested participants must register their names on the interest list to receive priority invitations for the limited field. With the race decided by corrected elapsed time, teams should focus on vessel preparation and early qualifying milestones to ensure readiness.
The takeaway
Prospective participants should monitor the opening of the entry portal in early 2027 to secure a spot in the capped field. Early engagement with regional Q&A sessions provides critical logistical insight for teams planning the 5,000-nautical-mile journey.
What happens next
Race entries are officially expected to open to the public in early 2027.
Further reading
For more information on endurance sailing schedules, see the Running section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Sail-world.
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