Tasmanian yacht Alive has given its competitors up to 27 days head-start, and its crew still think they will win the Melbourne to Osaka

The Melbourne to Osaka yacht race has already started but the crew of a Tasmanian yacht even has time for a holiday before their turn to set sail - 27 days after the first one left. Here’s what happening.

Glenn Myler and Duncan Hine aboard Alive. Tasmanian yacht Alive will race in the Melbourne-Osaka yacht race. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

Two Tasmanian yachtsmen have given the front-runners a 27-day head-start in a 10,000km race and they even has time for a holiday before their turn to set off in the event’s unique staggered start.

But Tasmanian skipper Duncan Hine still believes he and teammate Glenn Myler can sail Alive to victory on debut in the marathon two-handed Melbourne to Osaka yacht race.

Alive is a two-time winner of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race.

Skipper Duncan Hine Alive. Sydney to Hobart 2023 handicap and overall winner Tasmanian yacht Alive. Picture: Nikki Davis-Jones

After withdrawing from the 2024 race with engine issues, Alive, owned by fellow-Tasmanian and Hine’s great mate Phil Turner, is now ship shape for the race to Japan.

“It’s over 5500 nautical miles and I’m pretty excited about it,” Hine said.

“It has been a bucket list item for me all my life, so it’s extremely exciting because Phil has given me the ‘toy’ and said ‘I always wanted my boat to do this race’.

“He said I hope Glenn is a better sailor than me, because I would have kept you awake the whole way.”

Alive is the boat to beat.

“We are the last starter,” Hine said.

“One boat Curious Roo started on Monday, and we’ll give them 27 days head start.”

Tasmania's defending champion Alive powers down the NSW Coast on the opening day of the Rolex Sydney-Hobart. Picture Rolex-Carlo Borlenghi

Curious Roo is pointed directly at Cyclone Albert, which is menacing Queensland Brisbane this week.

“The cyclone will be well and truly gone, based on their current boat speed, by the time they get there,” Hine said.

“It shouldn’t impact us I’m sure it will have dispersed by the time we take off and we will go back to trade winds and that type of conditions.”

Alive sets off on March 30.

“I’m going to have a holiday before we go,” Hine said.

“I’m heading home because my dad’s having his 90th birthday and I’ve got to see my wife and kids because it has been four weeks since I’ve seen them.”

As well as Alive, the Melbourne-Osaka race includes Tasmanian father/daughter crew Richard and Megan Grant, father/son team Ken and Tristan Gourlay, and Lillian Stewart crewing with Cyrus Allen, Commodore of the Ocean Racing Club of Victoria.