2018 Melbourne to Osaka Race gets major sponsor

Sundance Marine has been confirmed as the official naming rights sponsor of the 2018 Sundance Marine Melbourne to Osaka Yacht Race.

The race, starting in Port Phillip in March 2018, is the toughest challenge for offshore racers from Australia. The 5,500 nautical mile (10,000 km) non-stop, double-handed (two person) race is the equivalent of eight Sydney to Hobarts back-to-back. Starting in autumn, the route heads through Bass Strait, then up Australia’s East coast as the cherry blossoms bloom in Japan’s spring.

Conducted every five years since 1987, the Organising Authority is a partnership between Sandringham Yacht Club (SYC), the Osaka Hokko Yacht Club (OHYC) and the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria (ORCV).

The commodore of the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria, Ray Shaw, said, “Sundance Marine’s generous sponsorship and enthusiasm will ensure the event can be run to its full potential. Melbourne and Osaka’s ‘sister city’ relationship forms a crucial backdrop to this incredible event.

“Support from ocean racers has been enormous with all available entries already filled and a waiting list in place.”

David Beck, Director of Sundance Marine and long-term member of Sandringham Yacht Club said, “We’re excited to be involved in such a fantastic event. It seems a natural fit to partner with the Melbourne to Osaka Yacht Race, a race that, like our own company, has a long history.”

With a great fleet already confirmed to be on the start line in March 2018, David added, “Having closely followed the last three M2O races myself and with clients competing on each occasion, we have seen first-hand the commitment and effort required to be competitive in such an event.

“The entire Sundance team is looking forward to the lead up to the start over the next 12 months. The organising committee is a passionate group and we look forward to working with them to make the 2018 race a successful one.”

The interest in the 2018 race has also convinced the committee that there is sufficient support to plan the subsequent race in March 2022.

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