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Sports | Sailing in Marin: Pacific Cup 2024 – the fun…

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Sports | Sailing in Marin: Pacific Cup 2024 – the fun race to Hawaii

Courtesy Elliot James

Elliott James' boat Bloom County is expected to compete in the Pacific Cup for the first time as the race begins from San Francisco Bay on Monday, July 15, 2024.

Downwind may be a challenging point of sail for Elliot James' Bloom County during the Pacific Cup 2024 race from San Francisco Bay to Hawaii.

Elliot James (center) and Kyle Vanderspek (left) won their class in the recent Spinnaker Cup race from San Francisco to Monterey.

The crew of the Bloom County practices for the Pacific Cup 2024 race from San Francisco Bay to Hawaii.

Elliott James' boat Bloom County is expected to compete in the Pacific Cup for the first time as the race begins from San Francisco Bay on Monday, July 15, 2024.

Doublehanding from San Francisco to Hawaii in the Pacific Cup (Pac Cup) race for the first time on his sailboat Bloom County is the culmination of some five years’ worth of delays for owner Elliott James. His first attempt to compete in the 2020 edition of the race was thwarted due to the pandemic, he was waitlisted for the 2022 event but notified of a place in the fleet too late to make it logistically work. Third time’s a charm, as they say, and Elliott is chomping at the bit to set sail in the 2070-mile biennial invitational race which finishes in Kaneohe, Hawaii, on the island of Oahu.

“I’ve been trying to do Pac Cup forever, not necessarily on my boat, but a ride with someone else just to do it and it’s never worked out!” James laughed. “People keep telling me I have the perfect boat to race Pac Cup on so we’re finally doing it!”

Bloom County, a Mancebo 31, is a purpose-built safe ocean racing boat so race prep has been relatively minimal for James, who will sail with his buddy Kyle Vanderspek. most of the work so far has involved putting together items required for a long voyage that one wouldn’t normally carry inshore, like an emergency rudder system, which James had built, and a power generation system (he’s installed solar panels).

“I never imagined doing a long offshore race like Pac Cup double-handed in the boat, but when we did the double-handed Farallons race in April in stormy conditions, she held up really well while boats around us were dismasting and breaking all kinds of things,” said James, who grew up sailing in the junior program at the Sausalito Yacht Club. “She’s well-built.”

Being sturdier than others in his Pac Cup fleet means bloom County will be faster upwind if it’s breezy, but the race is typically just a few days of reaching and mainly downwind, which will benefit the lighter boats in his division.

“I’ll have some stiff competition with boats who do well downwind. My main competition will be Wolfpack, a Donovan 30 also racing double-handed — very experienced sailors who have done the Pac Cup several times,” James said. “We rate similarly but I’m concerned about fending them off.”

Pam and Bill Hughes, who live aboard a power boat in Sausalito, purchased their Antrim 27 Cascade 18 months ago with the goal to race the Pac Cup. They were inspired to make each day count after Bill incurred a serious health issue. It took a few years for him to regain his strength but through that time he kept sailing. When his health improved, the couple figured that it was time to fulfill some lifelong dreams.

“Bill is now 100 percent so we’re doing Pac Cup while we’re healthy and if I can help his dream come true, I’m thrilled,” Pam Hughes noted. “ I think we will be successful if we can all work well together, learn something about each other, enjoy the immediate and whatever the outcome is I know that the process of doing it will be fun!”

A maritime couple who have been around boating for a long time, Pam and Bill Hughes completed the requisite safety training classes and have concentrated their race prep focus on getting to know the boat. Lopez is a veteran offshore racer with many ocean miles under his belt.

“It’s a pretty simple race boat with an open transom and not a lot of complicated systems,” Pam Hughes explained. “We’ve been at the boat at least twice a week figuring out how to store equipment, how to work the communications systems, testing out horrible dry foods that everyone seems to love for camping (laughs), going through safety inspections, we updated the rigging, and I’ve been swimming as much as possible to be in good shape.”

Other boats hailing from Marin include the custom 43-footer Carodon owned and skippered by Heather Richard (Sausalito) competing in Pac Cup for the first time, the Santa Cruz 52 City Lights, owned and skippered by Aaron Wangenheim (Tiburon). This will be Wangenheim’s third Pac Cup, and second on City Lights. Bob Horton (San Anselmo) is competing for the second time on his Cal 40 Highlander, and veteran ocean racer Paul Cayard, formerly of Marin, will skipper the Swan 65 Translated 9 US with a mostly amateur crew. Viva, the Cal 40 owned by Don Jesberg (Belvedere) is racing Pac Cup for the first time, although Jesberg is a veteran of nine Transpacific races.

Horton, learning from his first Pac Cup in 2018, commented, “We redid the boom preventer to be more elastic because we broke the boom four days out from the finish last time which was a heartbreaker! We’re looking forward to finishing the race on the podium, although we have some pretty tough competition in the Cal 40 fleet.”

Translated 9’s goal is to introduce its colleagues, clients, and collaborators to the sport and some 600 guests have sailed on the boat on the Bay in the past year. As Cayard explains, the Pac Cup experience is an opportunity for Translated 9 to embrace a corporate goal to celebrate the human element through communication and understanding.

“Translated discovered sailing as a means to support its corporate mantra which is, “we believe in humans, through communication and understanding,” Cayard explained. “With the right people, anything is possible, challenges are everywhere but if you have people with the right values; determination, discipline, desire, resilience to bounce back, and motivation — all virtues exemplified in sailing. It’s amazing the impact sailing has on a person. They have no idea.”

Follow the race: https://www.pacificcup.org/

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The 2024 edition of the Pacific Cup is set to start the week of July 15, 2024. During that week, scores of well-prepared boats and crews will head out the Golden Gate and, after a few miles or hours, turn a bit left to head toward the welcoming harbor at Kaneohe.

If our past 44 years are any indication, our participants will see sealife, magnificent stars, a full moon, and most enticingly, 2070 miles of (mostly) downwind sailing in surf-worthy conditions. Participants step off their boats with a cold maitai, a lei, and a profound sense of accomplishment.

Leading up to the race, Pacific Cup volunteers host and lead preparation and safety seminars (with parties) and offer advice to the entrants. Mandatory boat inspections and a required gear list help contribute to a safe passage, though final responsibility belongs to the boat itself, of course.

The sense of family,  'ohana , within the Pac Cup community is palpable. We hope you will be part of it.

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Published on July 22nd, 2024 | by Editor

Classic conditions welcome Pacific Cup

Published on July 22nd, 2024 by Editor -->

With staggered starts on July 15, 17, and 18, 64 teams entered the biennial 2070 nm race from San Francisco, California to Kaneohe, Hawaii. Here’s an update on July 22, 2024:

Day one of the 2024 Pacific Cup was off to a slow start due to a lull in the coastal winds, leaving first competitors to start with virtually no wind for the first 24 hours. This group included four divisions and 32 boats:  Double Handed 1 (7 boats), Double Handed 2 (9 boats), PHRF 1 (9 boats) and PHRF 2 (7 boats).

The second day of starts had 26 more boats on their way to Hawaii. These were the faster PHRF divisions: PHRF 3 (10 boats), PHRF 4 (9 boats), as well as the ORR 1 (5 boats), and the Multihull division (2 boats). This group had clear skies with 10-15 knots of wind from the usual westerly direction – right through the gate.

For the third and final day of starts, the wind showed up in its usual San Francisco fashion in the high teens to low 20 knot range. The only class to start this day would be the ORR 2 division, consisting of six boats. By this point, the usual coastal flow of northwesterly wind filled back in, giving this last round of starts a quick exit out the gate and offshore.

The attrition bug has hit five boats:

• Rum Tum Tugger, Mahina Double Handed Division 1, started with the first group but decided to retire shortly after departing, and had safely returned to their homeport of Richmond Yacht Club two days later. • On July 17th, Keaka crew reported, “We are experiencing rudder issues and out of an abundance of caution, will be retiring. No other health or safety concerns at this time. Our current intentions are to head to Southern California for repairs.” They have tied up safely in Ventura. • Late on the night of July 17th, Imagine reported mechanical issues. They wrote, “Imagine lost steering due to a failure in the pedestal.” Using their autopilot and emergency rudder to steer, they tied up safely in Santa Cruz to effect repairs. • In the early hours of the morning on July 18th, Pendragon started their turn back to port, reporting steering issues, as well as issues with their Starlink. They made it safely into port in Monterey late in the afternoon on July 18th and are now on the way back to San Francisco. • After starting on July 18th with the final group of starts, Rapid Transit retired after a collision with a shark, damaging the port rudder mounting on the transom. They were able to safely make it back to San Francisco.

Several boats have demonstrated skillful problem-solving: Möve’s tiller came off and was lashed back on, and Translated 9 after regularly checking their rigging, successfully reran a new spinnaker halyard using a tagline.

Team Chinook reported that on July 21st it was an all-hands-on-deck project day. They discovered “mysterious and wet corners of [their] floating home and worked on making it less wet. [The crew] hacksawed a piece of aluminum, drilled many holes, employed five different types of tape, rewired, and monitored water levels in various locations.”

Overall the fleet is steadily making their way to Kaneohe in now near-classic wind conditions. All three starting groups have caught up to one another for the most part, and remain fairly tightly grouped. Boats frequently reported sightings of one another, and as ‘The Fugitive’ put it, boats are often “within burrito-throwing distance.”

That said, with what appears to be fairly even wind appearing now across most of the race course, the competitors may have the ability to pick from a wider variety of courses: go to the rhumb line, or strategically pick some other position and heading for the time being.

Event information – Tracker – Facebook

Start date: July 15: Doublehanded 1 & 2, and PHRF 1 & 2 divisions July 17: Multihull boats, PHRF 3 and 4, and ORR 1 July 18: ORR 2

Tags: Pacific Cup

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Pacific Cup 2024 - The fun race to Hawaii

Presented by : The Pacific Cup Yacht Club Race begins: July 15, 2024 in San Francisco Bay

The FUN Race to Hawaii, the Pacific Cup, has taken sailors from San Francisco Bay to Kaneohe Hawaii since 1980. With a focus on training, information, and ohana (family), the race has helped many voyagers hone their skills for ocean voyaging, whether in a hard-fought battle against world-class professionals or a challenging transit with family and friends. Either way, this mostly downwind race features some of the most enjoyable sailing on the planet, going on for days!  For more information, go HERE .

Ocean Navigator is a proud sponsor of the 2024 race!

Pacific cup 2024 – updates, international safety at sea with hands on course.

International Safety at Sea with Hands On Course January 13, 2024 at Kaneohe Yacht Club, Kaneohe, Oahu Signups are open here

This course is to prepare you for survival offshore in demanding situations and emergencies. As with any training, what you get is proportional to what you put into it. What you learn in this course may save your life and the lives of others in an emergency. We encourage you to give the course the effort and time it deserves.

Training The course is taught by experienced lifelong sailors. While the course is designed for sailors of all types and levels – cruisers, racers, novices, and experts, our focus in to help prepare you for the Pacific Cup race from San Francisco to Hawaii. The subject matter reflects the accumulated knowledge and lessons learned of the world-wide sailing community. MORE INFO >>

The course has two parts. The first part is the Online Offshore Safety at Sea Course. It is extensive and comprehensive. The online course will provide you with an excellent level of knowledge and is the starting point for the second part of the course.

The second part of the course is a full day of practical training. You will be updated with the latest information on key topics and then spend most of the day in hands-on training covering damage control, firefighting, emergency signaling, survival equipment, use of personal flotation devices, and life rafts. MORE INFO >>

Signups Open

Entries for the 2024 Pacific Cup opened at 8 am on March 29, and within four hours fourteen adventurous boats (and their skippers) had signed up. Our growing entry list includes a wide range of boats, both new to the race and returning veterans. Doublehanders and fully crewed, and sizes ranging from 27 to 52 feet! Will YOU be joining us?  To Enter Go Here .

Notice of Race posted

Our 2024 Notice of Race Start Date is July 15, 2024, and is now posted on our documents page. This gives you plenty of time to review the document and decide to enter the FUN race to Hawaii. For Race Documents and Links Go Here .

Frequently-Used Links Enter the Race Crew List Knowledge Base VHF Cable Reference (referred to in PCER) Sign up for Weighing

Files Notice of Race (321.08 KB) Equipment Requirements (PCER) (183.95 KB) Anchor Appendix of PCER (308.97 KB) NOR amendment 1 (Starlink and Crew weight) (84.27 KB) PCER for Multihulls (331.27 KB) Measurement and Ratings Guide (168.66 KB)

Full Moon for 2024 Race

July 15, 2024 , is scheduled to be the first start for the 2024 Pacific Cup, the FUN race to Hawaii. Slowest boats will start that Monday, with faster boats starting later in the week, is the plan.

Race organizers have to balance a number of factors in picking a start date. We prefer to start around 10 am to 2 pm, on an ebb tide. The date should be late enough that the Pacific High will have had a good chance to form, but not so late that we are into a high chance of tropical storms or somebody’s school year. We really want a moon.

This year, the week of July 15 came closest to ideal, with a blazingly full moon set for the middle of the race. That’s when we’ve scheduled our start for, and we hope to see you there

Pac Cupper wins NOBEL PRIZE

John F. Clauser sat in the bar at Berkeley Yacht Club on the evening of October 3, sharing his woes with other Pac Cup veterans and fans. Something about his boom. Also, we all commiserated about the challenges of working with one or more ratings systems.

Business concluded we all went home to a peaceful sleep. John, however, we imagine, was awakened by the traditional 2am call from the Nobel Prize Committee. He had been awarded the prize in Physics for his foundational work in quantum entanglement.

Congratulations, John!

Read about it here.

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The Fun Race to Hawaii

• By Ronnie Simpson
• Updated: March 27, 2019

It was almost sunset late last July on the docks in Kaneohe, Hawaii — the finish line for the biennial Pacific Cup yacht race , and a long way from the start in San Francisco — when the Hanse 505 Anaïs glided alongside and came to a halt. Moments later, a full-on dock party was raging as the last rays of sun spilled over the Pali mountain range. Skipper Matt Solhjem looked back at his Hanse in disbelief before reviewing the list of carnage. From blown-out spinnakers to broken electronics, the passage had taken its toll. The look on Matt’s face told a story: humbled, gracious and fully content, but also mischievous, like a teenager who’d just pulled one over on his parents. Winding down from a 12-day-long adrenaline rush, the first-time ocean racer said, “That was definitely a race. Right off the bat, the other boats were pushing hard. Even though we were sailing in the cruising class, that was a race, for sure.”

For the crew of Anaïs , it was also a successful one; they were the winners of the 14-boat cruising division, the largest in the race.

Bluewater cruising rallies and offshore yacht races have been the catalyst for an untold number of sailors to set sail and turn their dreams to reality. With a dedicated support and preparation network, as well as the perceived safety of traveling in a group, many sailors who might otherwise be hesitant to head offshore have found the proposition far less daunting when presented with the option of doing their first major crossing as part of an organized event. Nicknamed the “fun race to Hawaii,” the Pacific Cup has traditionally been a semi-laid-back affair that includes everything from Maxi racers full of pro crews to doublehanded Moore 24s sailed by intrepid amateur sailors, with everything in between.

The Pacific Cup has an interesting history. On June 15, 1980, 40 yachts sailed out under the Golden Gate Bridge in what was then called the Kauai Race, from San Francisco to the “garden island” of Kauai. Almost immediately, they were pasted by rough conditions. Attrition ensued, but 10 days later, Bill Lee’s legendary Merlin (the predecessor to the venerable Santa Cruz 70) was the first boat to come surfing into the islands. Easily the fastest yacht in the race, Merlin arrived in Kauai close to four days ahead of the next boat; the celebrated 68-footer also won a commanding victory on corrected time, establishing a long ­tradition between 70-foot sleds and success in the Pacific Cup. The Division II winner back in 1980 was Dean Treadway and his legendary Farr 36, Sweet Okole. Nearly 40 years later, in 2018, the same skipper and boat came power-reaching into Hawaii to earn a very close second place in their division, only narrowly missing out on victory due to an unfortunate wind shift in the final miles.

Since that inaugural race in 1980, the event outgrew its humble beginnings, was renamed the Pacific Cup and relocated its finish to Kaneohe, on the island of Oahu, to accommodate more boats. Yes, there are still plenty of glitzy raceboats and famous sailors, but the event has also always attracted local sailors who get their hands on a modest ultralight racer and dream big. While no small ultralight boats sailed in that first race, they have since become a fixture. From Moore 24s and Express 27s to Santa Cruz 27s, Olson 30s and Hobie 33s, the Pacific Cup attracts a great number of those early surfing boats from the heyday of the Santa Cruz boatbuilding era. In 2018, the race enjoyed a once-in-a-lifetime battle between seven Express 27s (six sailed doublehanded in their own one-design fleet, while one sailed in a PHRF handicap division with three crew on board). The little 27-foot speedsters and their crews put on a performance that will be talked about for many years to come.

The look on the ­skipper’s face at the finish line told a story: ­humbled, gracious and fully content, but also mischievous, like a teenager who’d just pulled one over on his ­parents.

After a gnarly super El-Niño impacted the race in 2016, when major tropical weather systems moved across the racecourse in quick succession, the vibe on the docks at the hosting Richmond Yacht Club in Point Richmond, California, was decidedly more relaxed in 2018. All of the weather models pointed to a much more traditional, if not benign, race. With an incredible two-thirds of the 60-boat fleet being first-time race entrants, no one was complaining about the mellow forecast. With light winds, warm temperatures and sunny skies at the race village, one could have been forgiven for confusing Richmond with the race finish. The 60 entries were spread across eight divisions over four different starting days in mid-­July, with the goal being to get everyone into Kaneohe around the same time. It was the third time a dedicated cruising class was included, with the first coming in 2014.

“A lot of goals came together to get the cruising fleet added to the Pacific Cup,” said Pacific Cup Yacht Club commodore and eight-time race participant Michael Moradzadeh. “First, we wanted to make the race more accessible to some folks who might feel intimidated by racing all the way to Hawaii. We relaxed the rules a bit — but not in terms of safety — to allow boats to motor a bit if needed, or to call a coach or weather router for advice, things you normally can’t do in a yacht race. We thought that the sailors wouldn’t be too competitive, but as it turns out, any time that you get two or more boats on the water it’s most definitely a race! For 2020, we’re probably going to configure the fleet a bit more like a race with actual handicap ratings and scoring, though still allowing the cruisers to use their engines if necessary. Competitive cruising, if you want.”

Competitive cruising is a polite way to put it. In the 2018 Pacific Cup, two 50-foot sisterships were duking it out near the head of the fleet, with top-tier sailing talent on board both boats. On Emmanuel Sauquet’s Hanse 505, Outremer , a crew of six Frenchman, including Vendée Globe superstar Tanguy de Lamotte, found themselves locked in an intense match race with the aforementioned Anaïs , which was stacked full of seasoned racers from San Diego, including the local Ullman Sails pro, Chuck Skewes. While Outremer tended to have a slight speed advantage at times, the two boats took wildly divergent routes to Hawaii, which ended up being the deciding factor.

In solidarity with the Frenchmen on board A Fond le Girafor , a revolutionary new foiling Beneteau Figaro 3 in the doublehanded class, who were just ahead of them, Outremer played the north side of the racecourse while rival Anaïs played the south. Up north, the route would be much shorter, and in theory, there would be a narrow corridor of increased pressure for any navigator who was skilled and daring enough to try to thread the needle and find it. Down south, the conditions looked a bit softer, though considerably more consistent with fewer wind holes to deal with. The boats up north looked good in the short term, but as is usually the case when racing to Hawaii, those northerly boats faded hard in the middle stages of the race. When the wind finally went light for the northerly boats, Anaïs gained a big advantage and held on to the finish to arrive into Kaneohe some 12 hours ahead of her French competition.

As is often the case in races from California to Hawaii, the boats that opted for a northern route faded hard in the middle stages of the voyage.

The arrival of Anaïs signaled the start of a marathon push for me, the race’s media guy, that would last for much of the ­following week. After that first cruiser came in, the floodgates opened and boats were finishing around the clock. With so many interesting storylines to follow and friends spread throughout the fleet, seemingly every few hours I would attempt to greet and cover a boat, no matter what time of day. From high-energy arrival parties to heartwarming reunions among loved ones, each arrival was different from the last, but equally special.

I’ve always had a soft spot for the French and their passion for sailing, and because this year’s fleet had such an incredible number of French sailors, it was fun and exciting to greet them in Hawaii. Perhaps the most touching of all finishes in the 2018 Pacific Cup was when Nicolas Thiebaud’s all-French crew on his Jeanneau SunFast 3200 Dare Dare arrived in the middle of the night to a raucous welcoming committee that included a huge French contingent singing an old Breton song in honor of their fellow countrymen. When you engage in an organized sport like ocean racing, you do it as much for the community as you do for the voyage itself. To see the love and camaraderie among competitors is perhaps the most beautiful part of the whole event; it’s one big celebration of the sport, among friends both new and old.

RELATED: Molokai High

Aside from the two modern 50-foot Hanses with wicked-up crews that found themselves in an improbable match race for the lead, the rest of the 14-boat cruising fleet spanned the full spectrum of cruising yachts — a Mason 44, Island Packet 380, Nordic 44 and Swan 441 were among the entrants — with a wide array of proper cruisers and comfy racer-cruisers also sprinkled throughout the racing fleets.

As well as the diversity of boats entered, the ambitions and vibes of the various different crews is hard to miss. Obviously, a lot of the fleet is composed of hardcore racing sailors who thrive on the intense competition and the thrills that only ­high-speed open-ocean surfing runs in the trade winds can deliver. For others, it’s their own personal Everest, the ­culmination of a major life undertaking amid years of dreaming. While for many still, it’s merely a summer tradition, a break from work or an ambitious summer cruise. For all, however, it’s a long bluewater passage with day after day of off-the-breeze sailing in ideal conditions before arriving to a warm welcome in paradise. Whether racing or cruising, the sail from California to Hawaii is about as good as it gets.

For many, the race itself is just a part of the motivation for entering the Pacific Cup. Russ Johnson, skipper of the Jeanneau 52.2 Blue Moon , said, “Probably the biggest part of the Pac Cup, for me, was to be able to do the return trip and go through the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. I learned about the gyre 15 years ago and was surprised at how many people had still never heard of it. I wanted to see what was out there for myself, and make my findings available to raise awareness and educate people about what it is.”

Before returning to California, and visiting the garbage patch along the way, Johnson found himself on island time, and his return delivery was delayed a couple of months by impromptu local adventures. “The sailing was absolutely beautiful. From almost any port, you can be out in the ocean in minutes and have reliably great breeze and open-ocean sailing. Within hours, you can find another port or ­another island entirely to pull into and meet new people. We visited the remote north side of Molokai. It was amazing and completely unexpected. With the tallest sea cliffs on earth, beautiful waterfalls and hidden coves, it was the real Hawaiian paradise that I had hoped to find.”

Not all boats that sail in on a Pac Cup make the return, however. Some skippers sail their boat into Hawaii, effectively on a one-way journey, before selling the boat in the islands and flying home. For so many others, however, the Pac Cup is just the beginning of the journey. Warren Holybee and crew sailed his Morgan 382 Eliana into Kaneohe in 14 days to grab third place in the Coral Reef Sailing Apparel A division. The next time we saw Warren, he was in Honolulu installing a Monitor windvane and dodger that he had shipped out with the delivery gear. From Hawaii, he cruised on to Fiji and will be heading on to New Zealand.

For Thiebaud, a young French sailor who lives in San Francisco, the Pac Cup was part of his spiritual journey to sail to the islands of French Polynesia. As soon as the Pac Cup was over, he was seen loading big ground tackle, a dinghy and other cruising gear onto his 32-footer Dare Dare and heading south. Overall winner Prospector, a flashy, modern 68-foot racing yacht, sailed onward to Sydney with its professional crew for a run at the Rolex Sydney-Hobart Race. The Pacific Cup was just one leg of a racing circumnavigation that includes many iconic ocean races. Just like the ­diversity of the fleet itself, when the awards party ends, an equal if opposite number of adventures ensue.

Back in 1980, the first year of the Pacific Cup, Lester Robertson raced a Moore 24 named Legs to the island of Kauai in the 1980 singlehanded Transpac. Nearly 40 years later, he was back, this time doublehanded, to race another Moore 24 called Foamy to Hawaii. “I decided to do the race, and then two and a half months into the rebuild I was diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer. They told me I had a 15 percent chance to survive the first five years, but I always figure we can be in the top 15 out of 100,” he told me with a forced chuckle. “There’s so much else in life, but it was one of the things that I really, really wanted to do — another transpacific voyage in a small boat — and I’m just so grateful and privileged to be here. I appreciate it so much. There’s just so many other ways it could have worked out.” Lester and his crew, Randy Parker, pushed the venerable Moore 24 hard, fighting for the victory for much of the race, ultimately finishing in third place in the division and only narrowly missing out on second.

You talk to a guy like Robertson, or a first-timer, or a 15-time race vet, or even a race volunteer, and you realize how much the Pacific Cup means to this crowd. From the opening race village at the Richmond Yacht Club to the finish-line festivities at the Kaneohe Yacht Club, there is an overwhelming sense of pride and gratitude in being part of it: gratitude for the incredible and oftentimes humbling experience, and pride to be a part of something so undeniably special and uniquely homegrown. With a dedicated group of volunteers and many of the usual suspects among the competitors, the fleet has a family feel to it and takes great pride in ownership of their little race that has left such an indelible mark on the sailing world. With this tightknit group that warmly welcomes outsiders and newcomers, including cruisers, the time has never been better to cast off the dock lines and discover the Pacific Cup for yourself. The next Pac Cup is scheduled for 2020. How about joining the fun?

Ronnie Simpson is a sailor, surfer and sailing media professional who is in the early stages of a surf-focused sailing circumnavigation on his Peterson 34 , Quiver . Having recently completed a degree in integrated multimedia from Hawaii Pacific University, Ronnie continues to pursue his goals as a sailing journalist alongside — and to help fund — his own sailing ambitions. He was the media director for the 2018 Pacific Cup.

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Final Race Recap Video

ALOHA! 52nd Transpac concludes, a new cycle begins

With a resounding ALOHA the final awards ceremony of the 52nd edition of the Transpac concluded last night at Kaneohe Yacht Club on the windward side of Oahu. There are a total of 75 perpetual trophies in the Transpacific YC collection, many of which were awarded on Tuesday and Thursday ceremonies, with the balance awarded tonight.

These included the podium finishers of Boatswains Locker Division 7 and smithREgroup Division 8 who were recognized among the 15 entries in these groups that started the race in San Pedro on Tuesday June 27th. Eleven of these entries made it to the finish line at Diamond Head, while four retired from the race and returned safely to California.

Division 4, 5 and 6 winners celebrated at Transpac

This evening at Hawaii Yacht Club the podium finishers for Divisions 4, 5 and 6 who started their race on Thursday June 29th are being celebrated for the 52nd edition of the Transpac. This group was blessed with some of the most favorable conditions in the race: eight of the top ten in overall corrected time are from these divisions.

Winning first among the six entries in Cabrillo Boat Shop Division 5 is Dave Moore’s Santa Cruz 52 WESTERLY, who also was awarded the overall fleet King Kalakaua Trophy earlier this week. Runner-up in this division is Chris Messano and Bill Durant’s Santa Cruz 50 DECEPTION, who coincidently performed their impressive and thorough renovation of this boat at the eponymous division sponsor’s facilities in San Pedro. DECEPTION also placed third in overall fleet standings.

Transpac Awards Ceremonies

Sailors, family and friends are all welcome to attend the three Transpac Race awards ceremony this week. No tickets necessary.

DIV I, II, III, MULTI Tue, July 11, 5:00 - 6:30 PM Waikiki Yacht Club

DIV IV, V, VI Thur, July 13, 2023 5:00 - 6:30 PM Hawaii Yacht Club

DIv VII, VIII + Specialty Trophies Sat, July 15, 2023 5:30 - 7:00 PM Kaneohe Yacht Club ( bus available )

YACHT CLUB PARTY INFO >>

Transpac Race Yacht Club Parties

Weds, July 12, 2023 Waikiki Yacht Club Party ( Tickets ) 1600 - 2200 HST

Fri, July 14, 2023 Hawaii Yacht Club Party ( Tickets ) 1800 - 0000 HST

Sat, July 15, 2023 Kaneohe Yacht Club Party ( Tickets  - Bus ) 1930 - 2200 HST

Division 1, 2 and 3 winners celebrated at Transpac

An irony of this year’s Transpac is that the teams that raced the fastest boats were expected to be in days ago and therefore celebrating their division victories first would make sense for efficient event planning. Yet two of these winning teams finished just in the last 24 hours, with one crossing the finish at Diamond Head only this morning at 5:30 AM, less than 12 hours before the awards.

The reason is the lighter winds experienced by all the Saturday July 1st starters in this race, particularly in the first 24 hours getting off the coast of California. While the earlier starting divisions sped away to the west, nearly all the entries in these three classes took almost as long to get to Hawaii as their slower-rated rivals. This affected their overall fleet results, where the top places went to entries among the groups who started on Thursday June 29th and will be recognized at the next trophy ceremony at Hawaii Yacht Club this Thursday July 13th.

Cal Maritime adds another chapter to its storied history by completing 2,225-mile Transpacific Yacht Race

Cal Maritime added another chapter to its storied sailing history when it arrived in Honolulu on July 10, nine days after taking off from San Pedro, California, as the only college team competing against the world's elite professional crews in the 2023 Transpacific Yacht Race.

In their fourth appearance in this world-renowned race, the Keelhaulers completed their journey in nine days, three hours, 44 minutes and 22 seconds.

A mix of current cadet-athletes, coaches and program alums represented CSUM in this biannual race and completed this 2,225-mile journey from Southern California to Hawai'i: Kerry Deaver (head coach), Mike Dybvik (assistant coach), Jacob Fisker-Anderson (program alum), Cyrus Khaleeli (Jr.), Ben Louttit (Fr.), Clay Myers (So.), captain Brock Paquin (Sr.), Spencer Powley (Sr.), Max Roth (Jr.), Cooper Smith (Jr.), Emi Stephanoff (program alum) and Nolan Van Dine (program alum).

More trophy winners arriving at Transpac

Over half the fleet of 57 entries on this year’s Transpac course have safely arrived in Honolulu, and among them are some more provisional winners of division titles as well as other trophies.

At just before 0700 this morning Doug Baker’s Dencho/Kernan 68 PELIGROSO crossed the finish at Diamond Head after 8 days 20 hours 59 minutes 54 seconds of sailing in Cal Maritime Division 1.

With the lowest rating in this class, the Long Beach-based team are the provisional winners among 7 entries in this class, having scored a corrected time 3.5 hours ahead of Tom Holthus’ runner-up Botin 56 BADPAK.

Provisional Barn Door and Kalakaua Trophy winners announced at Transpac

With the finish of 19 out of 52 boats in the fleet this afternoon and no potential rivals on the eastern horizon, the fastest monohulls in elapsed and corrected time have been provisionally determined in the 2023 Transpac.

With an elapsed time of 7 days 13 hours 16 minutes and 38 seconds, the provisional winner of the Barn Door Trophy is Sebastian Moshayedi’s Bakewell-White 100 RIO100 in Cal Maritime Division 1. The Barn Door is Transpac’s perpetual award that honors the boat with the fastest elapsed time in the race. First presented in 1947, this iconic 4-foot long slab of carved Hawaiian Koa wood has been awarded to many famous ocean racing yachts that are legends in the sport: examples include CHUBASCO, MORNING STAR, TICONDEROGA, RAGTIME, WINDWARD PASSAGE, MERLIN and many more.

Night’s Watch Boat Blog

Finished! Sunday, July 9, 2023

Good afternoon to those who have followed us on this crazy journey and supported the Wolf Pack so completely.  Night’s Watch finished the race yesterday around 11:00 am HST and were greeted by several of our loved ones on the “Follow Me Boat” near the finish line.  At this point, it looks like we took third in our division with a tight battle between Night’s Watch, Lenny, Macondo, Wings and Favonius for the Division.

ALOHA! First Monohull Finishers Arrive in Transpac

The first of the waves of monohulls from multiple divisions have crossed the Transpac finish line at Diamond Head and are now tied up safe and sound in their slips at the Ala Wai Marina getting re-acquainted with friends, family and a return to life on terra firma having been at sea for over a week.

The first to get in at 02:12:17 Hawaii time was Bill McKinley’s Ker 46+ DENALI3. This team was leading Ocean Navigator Division 4 for most of the race, and recorded an elapsed time of 8 days 16 hours 12 minutes 17 seconds after starting on Thursday of last week. Next in was Greg Dorn’s Dehler 46 FAVONIUS, finishing at 06:38:22 HST for an elapsed time of 10 days 20 hours 38 minutes 22 seconds, the earliest finish of a Tuesday starter in Boatswain’s Locker Division 7.

Ho’okolohe Boat Blog

July 8, 1200

Under 500 miles to go and we're flying, in every sense of the word. Our boat speed is consistently averaging over 9 knots, we're getting some killer drone footage, and apparently charging hard through schools of suicidal malolo (flying fish). We gybed early this morning and the sunlight revealed about six dead flying fish strewn about the foredeck and on our sail stack. Reading other boat updates, it appears we're not the only ones.

Life is good on board the Ho'- Cecil's awesome cooking and Ty's mastery of transom grilling keeps the morale high. The boat is getting lighter and faster as we dwindle our food and wine selection down to the final meals. Every morning we wake up to crystal clear skies and a warm breeze. Two more sleeps and we'll be at the barn door.

First Monohull Finishers arriving soon in Transpac

After yesterday’s finish of the two MOD 70 trimarans in the race, there are now numerous monohulls just over the horizon to the east which are going to be crossing the finish line at Diamond Head all weekend and for the following several days as well. The first of this wave will be entries that started in San Pedro on Tuesday and Thursday of last week.

First among them is Bill McKinley’s Ker 46+ DENALI3 from Ocean Navigator Division 4, who at 131 miles out at 1200 HST and traveling at just under 13 knots of boat speed is projected to get in late tonight. Even though they may be the first monohull to finish they may still not have the lowest elapsed time on the course to win the coveted Barn Door Trophy…this will likely be the fastest of the Saturday starters, such as Sebastian Moshayedi’s Bakewell-White 100 RIO100 who is about 32 hours from the finish and started 48 hours after DENALI3, thereby about 16 hours faster in elapsed time once they get to Diamond Head.

Blue Moon Boat Blog

July 7, 1115

Today marks my 30th day sailing on the ocean, except for two days in L. A. to get groceries. I left the Aloha Dock at Hawaii Yacht Club on June 7th headed to the TransPac start line. We left later than we would have liked due to a few situations that were beyond our control, but once all that was sorted out we cast off the dock lines, blew the conch shell and pointed the bow to L. A. The same high pressure system that is now plaguing the TransPac 2023 fleet threw us some curve balls on our sail from Hawaii to the TransPac start, which caused a few more days of delays.

Once we arrived in L. A. early Monday morning June 26th and found a slip at Cabrillo Way Marina we filled the water tanks, plugged in the shore power to charge the batteries and setup any repairs necessary to sail back to Hawaii with a new start date of Thursday June 29th. I had ordered new sails a couple months before and they were already in L. A. ready to be delivered to Blue Moon. I organized new running rigging and with no time to spare Blue Moon was ready for the scheduled start.

First Finishers in Transpac

This morning at 02:48 Hawaii Standard Time Justin Shaffer’s MOD70 ORION crossed the finish line at Diamond Head as the first finisher in the 2023 Transpac. Their elapsed time of 4 days 17 hours 48 minutes fell short of breaking the multihull course record of 4D 6H 32M set by H.L. Enloe’s ORMA 60 MIGHTY MERLOE in 2017, but impressive nonetheless considering the slow start last week’s Saturday starters encountered while getting off the California coast. Among both Multihulls and Monohulls this is nonetheless the 6th fastest elapsed time in the entire history of the race, first sailed in 1906.

The ORION crew of six (photo courtesy of Mark Brouch) included Paul Allen, Hogan Beatie, Morgan Larson, Cam Lewis, Matt Noble and Justin Shaffer.

Corrected Time Sailing in Transpac

Most trophies awarded in Transpac are based on not on an entry’s elapsed time but their score in corrected time, both within their division and overall in the fleet. How is this determined?

Since the entries in this race are of varied sizes and styles of design, a system is needed to equalize their performance under handicap. Transpac uses a system called the Offshore Racing Rule (ORR), which relies on detailed measurements of the boat, its keel and rudder(s), the spar, the sails and even the crew weight to predict the speed potential of the boat at all wind angles and wind speeds. The calculated speed potential becomes the basis for rating of the boat.

This is determined using aero- and hydrodynamic models within a VPP (Velocity Prediction Program) developed by ORR for wind speeds between 6 – 24 knots and all wind angles for which the boat’s performance can be predicted.

Good Trouble Update

I guess it’s day five…but actually it’s all a blur,” said Colin at the helm. We’ve passed packages wrapped in yellow tape that look suspiciously like drug drops. Transpac care packages? (DEA, are you listening?) Not seeing much sea life, but because we’re blazing by? Marie spilled miso soup all over the range, so we’ve decided to name our new boat band, “Miso Messy.” And please, please don’t ask what we’ve named, “The Cuban Missile Crisis.” (Hint: By-product of freeze dried Hungry Hiker Cuban Black Beans and Rice.”)

Never seen this much overcast and cold conditions this far into the trades. We’re having to rewear the few long sleeved shirts and bottom layers that we packed. Eew. 

The minute we decide to set the spinnaker, the wind direction goes forward crushing our ambitions. Hmm…whose decision was it to leave the code zero at home? Thank goodness for the peppy lil blast reacher. 

Life is amazing on this golden girl of the 90s. She was purchased from a sweet couple in Marin County, and meticulously revived by mechanical engineer and naval architect, Bill Rogers. In LA, Jib Kelly and Kelly Marine stripped down old systems and installed everything new. Bill and the crew continued with upgrades. Good Trouble’s (née Aldura) designer, Alan Andrews, has been a constant source of information and support for this program. 

As we enter whatever the heck date this is (oh wait, someone thinks it’s the 4th of July!!), we are dining well, taking care of ourselves and each other, and doing whatever it takes to make this old gal giddy-up. 

Champagne Sailing Soon to Come in Transpac

On this Independence Day holiday while the rest of us are enjoying grilled meats, libations and fireworks with family and friends, the 52 teams with 455 sailors aboard on the Transpac racecourse are still making steady progress west towards Hawaii. The sun is coming out from behind the clouds during the day, the moon is bright at night and the sailing angles are starting to turn from reaching to running for most of the fleet.

Steve Rossi on Cecil and Alyson Rossi’s Farr 57 HO’OKOLOHE reported “Right after roll call yesterday the A3 went up and the mood boosted on the boat. We saw [an albatross] for the first time yesterday and again this morning on dawn patrol. It's always great to see these majestic yet solitary birds.

“Last night's full moon was spectacular, making short appearances through the break in the clouds, so bright at times we almost needed sunglasses. The sun today has finally brought out that crystal clear blue diamond Pacific ocean water. We're reaching deeper into our sail locker, and were finally able to pull out the bigger A2 spinnaker- a much more manageable kite than the A3 we had up for the last 24 hours, which was a chore to keep under control in the confused wind conditions.”

Passing Lanes in Transpac

With the exception of five entries that have dropped from the race and have returned to the coast, the entire Transpac fleet is now finally making good progress down the racecourse towards Hawaii. The faster entries among the Thursday starters are also converging fast with the slower Tuesday starters as shown on the PASHA HAWAII YB tracker system and will soon be finding some passing lanes, mostly to the north of the rhumb line.

Using their satellite internet access all teams may download GRIB weather files while en route on the race. These are combined with their polar performance data and is used by routing software to help guide them on where to go on the racecourse to get the fastest possible calculated route to the finish.

Triumph Boat Blog

July 3, 1030

Quick update from the Triumph.  As you might see from the YB Tracker, we are barely holding off Deception but as we enter the downwind leg it will be a dog fight as they are a much lighter boat.  Westerly has got something we don't and I am not sure what that is. Perhaps an upwind sail. They continue to outpace us.  We continue to push. 

We have seen alot of debris today including a large chunk of foam with a 2 inch piece of rebar. Then we wrapped some plastic bag or something around the keel requiring us to back down (under sail of course).  We quickly got back underway.

Halfway point (for some) in the 2023 Transpac

After yesterday’s third and final start of the 2023 Transpac, the fortunes of the fleet of 57 entries can be ascertained from the PASHA HAWAII YB tracker system and reports coming in to race managers at Transpacific Yacht Club. There are some in this fleet there are starting to get a taste of the champagne sailing conditions that makes this race famous, while others are still days away from having this taste too as they struggle to get off the California coast.

The leaders in the first group of starters continue their match race battle for the lead in Boatswain’s Locker Division 7 among two Dehler 46 sisterships. At 0900 PDT this morning Greg Dorn’s FAVONIUS is shown to have managed to pass and build a 4-mile lead over Ian Edwards’ WINGS from Australia. With 1219 miles to the finish at Diamond Head in Honolulu these two are sailing at about 9 knots and are near the halfway point on the course after 5 days of racing.

Ho’okolohe at the Start of the 2023 Transpac Race

Gray But Great Final Start to Transpac

Today off Point Fermin not only did the fastest group of 20 boats arrive for the third and final start of Transpac, so did a moderate westerly sea breeze to get them off on an overcast start to their 2225-mile journey to Hawaii. Contrary to the earlier starts on Tuesday and Thursday of this week with their light air conditions, today’s 10-12 knots of wind in the start area had the fleet heeled over and going reasonably fast towards their first mark of the course, the West End of Catalina Island 25 miles away.

Some got off a little too fast: a 10-degree left shift made the pin end of the line very attractive, prompting three OCS calls from the race committee for entries in Cal Maritime Division 1: Cal Maritime’s Andrews 77 T/S CAL MARITIME, Tom Holtus’ Botin 56 BADPAK, and Michael Firman’s Infinity 52 ZEUS. Breaking free of the pack early is the largest monohull in the fleet, Manouch Moshayedi’s Bakewell White RIO100.

An hour earlier in the Epic Insurance Division of multihulls, three MOD 70s crossed the start in slightly less breeze on their way west, with Jason Carroll’s ARGO taking the start for an early lead.

Final Transpac Start Tomorrow

The last start of the 2023 Transpac will be tomorrow. First, the three MOD 70 trimarans will head west from Point Fermin for their 2225-mile journey to Honolulu in Epic Insurance Division 9 at 1200 noon. An hour later, the 20 fastest monohulls in this year’s fleet will follow. The latter are divided into three classes: Cal Maritime Division 1, SD Boatworks Division 2 and Whittier Trust Division 3.

With teams representing Australia, Canada, Italy, and the US, this is the most internationally diverse starting group in this year’s race. The US-based entries are also varied, hailing from New York, the Great Lakes, and Hawaii as well as from throughout California.

Within the teams in each division are some of the best amateur and professional talent in the sport, along with the long generational heritage of offshore sailing that Transpac represents since its very first edition in 1906.

Second wave heads to Hawaii in Transpac

Under sunny skies and a light westerly breeze, the second group of entries has started their 2225-mile journey to Honolulu in the 2023 Transpac. Nineteen boats divided in three classes  Ocean Navigator Division 4, Cabrillo Boat Shop Division 5 and Pasha Hawaii Division 6 – set off from Point Fermin to first clear the West End of Catalina island 25 miles away and then out into the open Pacific Ocean.

Like the first group of starters on Tuesday this week, they face an initial upwind challenge to clear the West End - the entire fleet tacked to port just after the start to have better pressure along the Palos Verdes coast - and then follow their navigator’s advice on the next steps. Do they carry on upwind to stay north close to rhumb line, thereby minimizing the extra distance sailed to Hawaii? Or bear off a few degrees once they clear the coast for increased speed at the expense of sailing extra distance in order to get an initial jump on the fleet and then maneuver to stay in front as the weather allows.

TS Cal Maritime Boat Blog

June 29, 2023

On Saturday, July 1 at 1 p.m. PT, Cal Maritime will begin its 2,225-mile adventure as one of the final group of boats departing San Pedro, California, to Honolulu in the 2023 Transpacific Yacht Race — a biannual open-ocean competition that features the top professional crews in the nation, in addition to one college team.

Throughout the race itself, crew members will take photos and videos of their journey, content you can view by visiting the team's Instagram page,  @CalMaritimeSailing . 

Thanks to a live tracker, provided by Transpac officials, sailing fans can see CSUM's location in the Pacific Ocean by  clicking here , scrolling through the list of competitors and clicking on the TS Cal Maritime link. 

Second wave of starters leaves tomorrow in Transpac

With the first group of 15 yachts making westward progress towards Hawaii after their Transpac start yesterday, the second group is in final preparations for their start tomorrow at 1:00 PM PDT. This group is larger – 19 yachts divided into three divisions – and are rated faster on the course so their start two days later is intended to compress the arrivals of finishers at Diamond Head in Honolulu.

Currently the YB tracker, sponsored by Pasha Hawaii, indicates yesterday’s starters are making great progress getting off the California coast. Their straight-line tracks indicate they had good steady breeze all night and are now close reaching southwestward in an arcuate path towards Hawaii which still lies over 200 miles away.

They’re off! First Transpac fleet starters on their way

Under clear Southern California skies, 6-10 knots of wind, and just a hint of fog out on the western horizon, the first wave of the 2023 Transpac fleet is on their way towards Hawaii. Nine entries in Boatswains Locker Division 7 and six in smithREgroup Division 8 crossed the start line today. One Hawaiian-based entry in the latter class – Russ Johnson’s Jeanneau 52.2 BLUE MOON – only arrived last night and received permission to delay their start until the next group sets off on Thursday.

A team who is taking on this race for the first time and on one of the smallest boats in the fleet is Herwig Baumgartner’s 1D35 BLACK MARLIN from Los Angeles with an assembled amateur crew of seven on board. This morning before leaving the dock at the Cabrillo Way Marina in San Pedro they “were looking forward to the tradewinds and the legendary downwind sailing Transpac offers.”

Transpac first start preview

Tomorrow at 1:00 PDT a group of 16 boats will cross the starting line in the vicinity of Point Fermin in San Pedro in the first start of the 2023 Transpac. After leaving the West End of Catalina to port they will sail another 2200 miles west towards the finish line at Diamond Head on Oahu… an epic journey.

They are the first of three waves of starting groups among 58 entries from Australia, Canada, Italy and the US in the 52nd edition of this biennial ocean racing classic, first sailed in 1906. Some are racing Transpac for the first time, others are veterans who keep coming back to enjoy this iconic race.

Multi-racial team for 52nd Transpac

The 2023 Transpacific Yacht Race has attracted 58 teams for the 2225nm course from Los Angeles to Honolulu, with the 52nd edition holding staggered starts on June 27, June 29, and July 1. Here’s one of the entrants looking to make waves:

For centuries yacht racing has been an elite activity. Sailing was known as the ‘king of sports and the sport of kings.’ Exclusive.

But now, the Offshore Racing Outreach (ORO) is bringing inclusivity to the yacht racing scene, with a team of sailors from diverse backgrounds set to compete in the biennial Transpac Race.

The team of nine will race an Andrews 56 aptly named Good Trouble, in honor U.S. House of Representatives John Robert Lewis, an American statesman and civil rights activist. And like Lewis, the crew is making waves.

Cal Maritime sponsors Transpac

Starting with donation of the 72-foot yawl BARUNA in 1972, the Cal Maritime Academy Foundation (CMAF) has provided numerous opportunities for cadets to sail on offshore yachts as part of their training to become merchant seamen. The experience they gain in seamanship, navigation, leadership and teamwork while offshore is an invaluable part of their skill set in this important and lucrative field.

No wonder Cal Maritime has the highest graduate employment rate (94%) of all Cal State Universities with starting salaries at the top of national averages.

Their entry in this year’s Transpac on the Andrews 77 CAL MARITIME is made possible by a donation made in 2022 and is the second time the boat will race under the Cal Maritime flag as a donated yacht. CMA Cadets have participated in four past Transpac races but 2023 will be the second race (first in 2019) that the team is being fully supported financially by the CMAF donation program.

“Our sponsorship of this race is intended to bring attention to the program and Cal Maritime,” said CMAF’s Donation Program Manager Bo Smith. “Last year the CMAF Donation program provided over $7,000,000 in support, equipment and capital improvements to the Academy and over $250,000 to support Cal Maritime Sailing and the Offshore Sailing Program for 2022/2023. These are all funds provided by the generous donation of yachts through the sailing and yachting community.”

Transpac Festivites Kick-Off in San Pedro

The 52 nd Transpac kicks off this weekend in San Pedro. Come be part of the experience!

Transpac Village

Transpac Village is open at Cabrillo Way Marina. Crews can stop into the Racers’ Retreat for access to wifi and local information. Race sponsors including SD Boatworks and LW Regatta Gear will be present. If you are in the area, you can walk through Transpac Village to see the boats and preparations.

Check out what else is in store for the next few weeks!

Transpac 2023 and RealSail offer virtual race game

For those unable to physically participate in the race, the Transpacific Yacht Club and RealSail have partnered to offer an interesting online alternate: the RealSail Virtual Transpac 2023 race game.

This virtual game is being made available for participants at no charge and is set up specifically for Transpac to mirror the real race. The game will feature five classes to choose from and three separate starts (on the same days as the Transpac starts). The classes and start dates are:

June 27 -- Cal 40 June 29 -- J/125 July 1 -- TP 52, ULDB 70 and MOD 70

To learn more about the RealSail Virtual Transpac 2023 and to enroll and play in the free practice race on June 13, go to  www.realsail.net .

smithREgroup™ sponsors Transpac

Given  smithREgroup  founder Randy Smith’s lifelong involvement in sailing, there’s a natural fit for the firm to be a 2023 sponsor of Transpac. Among the portfolio of services that smithREgroup offers its clients - which includes real estate brokerage and advisement of all types of residential and commercial properties, resort rentals, and business consulting – is corporate teambuilding through an entity called Teambuild Sailing.

As us sailors know, there cannot be any success in this sport without solid skills in communication, coordination, appropriate selection of personnel and careful preparation for uncertainties that may lie ahead. Teambuild Sailing teaches these skills with onboard sailing experiences coupled with classroom instruction to analogize how these will apply to and enhance the success of any business enterprise.

One week to go for first wave starters in Transpac

One week from today, at 1300 PDT on Tuesday, June 27th, the first wave of boats will start the 52nd edition of the biennial Transpac race. Starting in the vicinity of Point Fermin in San Pedro, they will race past Catalina Island and then onto the finish at Diamond Head in Honolulu. There are 16 boats starting on Tuesday: 9 teams are competing in Boatswains Locker Division 7, and 7 teams racing in smithREgroup Division 8.

Cal Maritime: From Tragedy to Support Within the Transpac Community

On Thursday, June 8th, the support trailer for the Cal Maritime’s Andrews 77 entry of the same name in the 2023 Transpac was reported stolen to the Port of Los Angeles police. In this trailer were the sails for the boat and other valuable equipment, undoubtedly of no use whatsoever to the thieves. This immediately put the team of 13 cadets, alumni cadets and coaches at jeopardy of not participating in the race.

Ocean Navigator sponsors Transpac

As the authoritative source for voyagers of all types who want to know more about their boats, their gear and the techniques to make them better voyagers,  Ocean Navigator  magazine is a valued partner with the 2023 Transpac race. The skill sets needed to prepare and sail a long oceanic race like the Transpacific Yacht Club’s biennial 2225-mile race to Honolulu from Los Angeles are described and discussed in Ocean Navigator, and serve to inspire a wide range of the readership, whether they too plan to cross oceans or make coastwise passages.

Regular topics covered in the magazine include Offshore Sailing, Navigation, Weather, Marine Technology and Power Voyaging, Cruising Skills, Boat and Gear news and Marine Industry news.

2023 Aloha Send Off Party Tickets Now for Sale

Join us in two weeks for the 2023 Aloha Send Off party aboard the USS Iowa! This is your chance to meet the Transpac crews as our fleet gets sent off in style. All are welcome!

When: June 24, 2023 Time:   1800 Place:   USS Iowa

Tickets are $50 and gets you: great food from Gladstone’s, La Bocca Felice, Sebastian’s and J Trani’s; entertainment that includes a steel drum band from Panjiv; and demonstrations from the LA City Fireboat, the US Coast Guard, and the 50 caliber guns aboard the Iowa.

Would you like to participate in the demonstration of Iowa’s guns? We will holding a raffle for the chance "pull the trigger" on the Iowa’s guns. There will be 200 tickets for sale for $10 each.

Buy your tickets today

Pasha Hawaii: supporting Transpac with ocean transport solutions

Since 2005, Pasha Hawaii has been providing safe, fast and effective transportation to and from the mainland for Transpac yachts and gear. How fast and how effective is this? That is a question that we can look forward to answering this summer as Pasha Hawaii, Transpac’s satellite tracker sponsor, fits trackers to its ships so you can see who gets to Hawaii the fastest – a Pasha ship or a MOD 70.

Division Breaks Announced and Sailing Instructions Released

The 2023 Transpac division breaks have been announced. There are nine divisions — eight for the monohulls and one for the MOD70s. Transpac thanks the sponsors of each divisions:

VIEW SCRATCH SHEET

Division 1 - Cal Maritime

Division 2 - SD Boatworks

Division 3 - Whittier Trust

Division 4 - Ocean Navigator

Division 5 - Cabrillo Boat Shop

Division 6 - Pasha

Division 7 - Boatswains Locker

Division 8 - smithREgroup

Division M - Epic Insurance

Sailing Instructions are also available on the website.

Whittier Trust and Transpac: The Perfect Fit

There is a strong connection between Transpac and  Whittier Trust , now in its third year as the Heritage Sponsor in this year’s 52nd edition of the race. This connection is not only based on shared principles of planning and managing risks for beneficial outcomes, something inherent to all ocean racers. As the oldest, private multi-family office headquartered on the West Coast, more than 500 families place their trust in Whittier to do the same: be prepared to navigate the wide range of uncertainties we face in current circumstances that require a steady hand at the helm and sound judgment.

Four Weeks Until First Transpac Race Start

In four short weeks – Tuesday, June 27 th – the first wave of starters in the 2023 Transpac Race will be assembled off Point Fermin in anticipation of their 1300 starting signal to set off towards the finish line in Honolulu, 2225- miles away. This will be the start of the 52 rd edition of this biennial ocean racing classic organized by the Transpacific Yacht Club and first run in 1906.

This first wave will consist of 14 monohulls from 35 to 63 feet in length – but why such a broad range? Because these boats are anticipated to take the longest elapsed times to get to Hawaii.  Starting them first helps compress the fleet arrival times in Hawaii so more of the participants may be together after their finishes.

Eight weeks to go for first Transpac start

In 8 weeks – Tuesday, June 27 th - the first of three successive waves of starters will cross the start line for their 2225-mile journey westward across the Pacific towards Hawaii in the 52 nd biennial Transpac Race, organized by the Transpacific Yacht Club (TPYC). Most will have said emotional goodbyes and received well-wishing Alohas from family and friends from the shoreside venue in the Cabrillo Way Marina in San Pedro before their short commute to the start area in the vicinity of Point Fermin.  

Reyn Spooner launches official Transpac 2023 Aloha shirts

The Transpacific Yacht Club (TPYC) – organizers of the 2225-mile biennial Tranpsac race from Los Angeles to Honolulu – and  Reyn Spooner  – creator of the World’s most collected Aloha shirts – are pleased to announce the release of the official  Transpac 2023 Collection  of Aloha shirts for men and women custom-crafted for this year’s 52nd edition of the race.

Aloha Send Off Party Aboard the USS Iowa

The 2023 Transpac Race will kick off with a special Aloha Send Off Party on June 24th aboard the USS Iowa. Tickets are available for online purchase for this unique experience aboard the battleship turned museum.

BUY PARTY TICKETS

Guests affiliated with Transpac (racers, club members, families) can use Discount Code: "Transpac" for 20% off tours  of the battleship museum.

USS IOWA EXPERIENCES

Start Dates Announcement

VIEW START DATE LIST

With over 60 boats entered, the 2023 Transpac Race promises to be another classic race to Honolulu. We’re looking forward to welcoming everyone to San Pedro for the Person in Charge meeting and Aloha send-off party on the USS Iowa on June 24.

With just over 3 months to go we know this is a busy time completing final preparations for the race. To assist you with planning travel, hotel, and other arrangements we are releasing the start dates for each boat in the fleet. These are start dates only, the division breaks will be announced following the final rating submission deadline of May 26. We’ve also provided provisional dates and locations for the awards presentations which will be held separately for each start date.

Transpacific Yacht Club Turns 95

Ninety-five years ago, on March 1, 1928 the Transpacific Yacht Club was born of an idea hatched by the same man who had sparked the 1906 inaugural race to Honolulu. That man was Clarence MacFarlane, still engaged with his brainchild but entrusting the leg work to an old friend known for getting things done. That was Albert Soiland.

First-time Transpac with Energy

We often wonder: what motivates someone to take on the challenge of not just sailing but racing 2225 miles from Los Angeles to Honolulu? For all of us who’ve done this race it’s a no-brainer, this is one of the best races in the world and we’re hooked for life. The waving so-long to friends and family, the light beat out to Catalina, the coast disappearing astern with nothing but the ocean and the lure of tropical paradise ahead. There’s nothing better.

In with the new, but why out with the old?

(This article, written by Dobbs Davis, appeared in the most recent edition of Seahorse Magazine, photo courtesy of Sharon Green, Ultimate Sailing )

In these pages quite a bit of emphasis is placed on new technologies and designs, and the influence they have. All of us get excited when brilliant minds go to work on creating new ideas and even new spaces for the sport to grow into. However, there are equally brilliant minds at work enhancing what has already been created to improve performance, safety and (usually) comfort too.

This is particularly common in the USA offshore scene where there are dozens and dozens of boats designed and built over 30 years ago that are still cherished and raced in a variety of classic races: the Bayview and Chicago-Mac Races held annually, the Newport-Bermuda Race held on even-number years, and the Transpac from LA to Honolulu held on odd-number years.

TPYC Announces New Apparel Partner

Transpacific Yacht Club (TPYC) is proud to announce a new partnership with LW Regatta Gear for all Transpac related apparel and merchandise.  TPYC Commodore Tom Trujillo welcomes the new partnership saying “After a detailed and exhaustive search to determine the best supplier for Transpac owners and crews, we are delighted to be working with LW Regatta Gear.  We believe that this will be a significant upgrade to the quality and variety of apparel Transpacific Yacht Club can offer its members, boat owners and crews.”

Navigators, Tacticians, Watch Captains Seminar Video

Visit MARINE WEATHER UNIVERSITY to learn more about the course offerings available to enhance your sailing, navigating and software knowledge.

Transpac Fleet at 55 as 2022 Draws to a Close

The first starts of the 2023 Transpac are just around the corner, and our 55 entries prove that there is no one right boat for Transpac. The current list ranges from Steve Campo’s BAZINGA, a Hobie 33, to Manouch Moshayedi’s RIO100  to three MOD70 trimarans that will be looking for speeds in the high thirties .

As always, the 2023 Transpac fleet will feature races within the race. The Santa Cruz 50/52 fleet is one of the long-standing rivalry classes. This year, our 50 th entry was Chris Messano’s DECEPTION, a Santa Cruz 50 that is one of many boats undergoing work with high hopes in the bargain. Messano and co-skipper Bill Durant are excited to put the improved Deception through her paces this summer, particularly because the crew consists largely of the Messano and Durant families.

You Can Never Be Too Prepared

The Transpacific Yacht Club takes preparation and safety seriously, and held a Pre-Race Seminar on November 9th to provide attendees with some valuable insights from a panel of experts on how to be ready for this race of a lifetime.

There is a video available now on YouTube that can help those unable to attend to tune in on the information presented, as well as act as a reference resource for those that did attend to remind them of the material.

PlanetSail DockTalk on the 52nd Transpac Race

Next year will see the 52nd edition of a race that is famous for delivering a downwind sleigh ride across the Pacific. Yet the reality is that despite the apparent simplicity of a course that has just one turning mark 26 miles from the start before a 2,200 mile leg that follows … winning this race is never straight forward……

2023 Transpac Race Promo

7 months until the start of the 2023 Transpac Race - Enter today!

Historic offshore yacht marks 40th entry in the 2023 Transpac

Leglus continues strong Hawaiian tradition in the race

Solomon Ka’ne’s Leglus , a 1986-built Ohashi 52, is the 40th entry to next year’s 52nd edition of the 2225-mile Los Angeles-Honolulu Transpac Race. Leglus is among a diverse fleet of boats currently entered that range in size from 33 to 100 fleet long and hail from all over the US, Canada and Australia. The fleet is expected to grow even larger until the final entry deadline is reached on May 26th, 2023.

Save the Date: Transpac Pre-Race Seminar on Zoom November 9th

Wednesday, November 9th 6:00 - 8:00 PM ZOOM PRESENTATION

RSVP HERE to receive Zoom meeting information.

Join four experienced race veterans for a 2-hour presentation.

• Pre-race prep, planning and training
• Maximize the next 6 months
• Manage your program correctly
• Q&A  

• Current technology for communications/electronics
• Best Practices for navigation and on-board systems
• How much data do you need?  What will it cost?

• Sail Inventory - what sails are needed for Transpac?
• Sail Repair Kit – what to include
• Crossover Charts and Polars

• Safety at Sea – Preparing the Crew
• Boat gear vs. personal gear
• Preparing for the worst-case scenario

Notice of Race published, first entry is John Raymont’s Fast Exit II

The Transpacific YC is pleased to announce that the entry process is now open for the 2023 edition of the Los Angeles to Honolulu Transpacific Yacht Race. Known as the Transpac, this will be the 52 nd edition of this classic 2025-mile ocean race held biennially since 1906.

The Notice of Race (NOR) detailing the terms and conditions of the event is now available online at www.transpacyc.com . The race is open to entry for offshore-capable racing and cruising monohull yachts from 30 to 100 feet in length that also meet other criteria listed in the NOR.

Transpac 2023: Save the Dates

Los Angeles, CA – The Board of Directors of the Transpacific Yacht Club are pleased to announce that start dates are now chosen for the 52nd biennial running of the Los Angeles to Honolulu Transpacific Yacht Race, better known as the Transpac. The first edition of this race was run in 1906 and it is one of the longest and oldest among the world’s classic ocean races, with a start line at Point Fermin in San Pedro and the finish line lying 2220 miles away at Diamond Head in Honolulu.

For the 2023 edition three start dates have been chosen: the first is Tuesday, June 27th 2023, the second Thursday June 29th and the last will be on Saturday July 1st. Once divided into divisions, entries will start in a trend from slowest to fastest in order to have more boats together on the race course and come closer to finishing together at Diamond Head.

First wave of boats sets sail on 2,225 mile journey to Hawaii in biennial Transpac yacht race

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) - Over a dozen boats and their crews are currently racing from Los Angeles to Hawaii in the first wave of the biennial Transpac Yacht Race .

The first wave left Los Angeles Tuesday afternoon and will be racing to the finish line at the Diamond Head lookout this year.

However, as of Wednesday, two of the 16 boats dropped out of the race and were on their way back to Los Angeles. One of the two boats — Insoumise — is from Hawaii.

The Hawaii boat retired from the race due to rudder issues. Everyone on board is safe and returning to port in Los Angeles.

A total of 58 teams will compete in the race this year, with the two other waves of boats destined to set sail on June 29 and July 1, respectively.

The race is estimated to take between five to 10 days for crews to complete, with a distance of 2,225 miles .

Many yachts and offshore sailing racers from all over the world — including Australia, Canada, Italy and the U.S. — are competing in the race this year.

Out of the 58 teams racing the 2023 Transpac, four crews are from Hawaii — the most in more than a decade.

First created and organized in 1906 by the Transpacific Yacht Club, the Transpacific Yacht Race, more formerly known as Transpac, is an offshore sailing race, where crews will travel from Point Fermin in Los Angeles to Diamond Head in Honolulu — an epic journey. This year’s Transpac is the 52nd one.

Along with other teams racing this year, some crews are entering the world of Transpac for the very first time.

Traveling all the way from Australia, this will be Ian Edwards and his crew’s first time racing the Transpac. They began their journey yesterday as part of the race’s first wave.

“We normally race with 10 or even a 12 crew, but we will race with only eight on this race,” Edwards said.

Their boat, Wings , is no stranger to ocean racing and the crew says that they are intrigued by the unique aspect of Transpac’s course and conditions.

Other boats, however, are already veterans to the race.

Ed Sanford and his crew hail from San Diego and will be racing their boat, Creative . This will be Sanford’s fourth Transpac race, having competed in 2013, 2015 and 2017.

He looks forward to the race this year and him and his crew have been proactive in preparing and planning for the 2,225 mile trek to Hawaii.

“By taking the time to go through all the setup, equipment and systems, we have a much better understanding on how to troubleshoot if needed,” Sanford said.

As the first wave of boats continues on their journey with two more set to follow in the upcoming days, their race progress can be tracked here .

To learn more information about Transpac and their teams participating this year, click here .

Copyright 2023 Hawaii News Now. All rights reserved.

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Regional Sailboat Races in the USA

By: Zeke Quezada, ASA Destinations , Sailing Races

Let’s set sail into the thrilling world of regional sailboat races! These competitions offer a unique and exciting twist on the traditional sailing experience.

Regional races center around sailboats vying for supremacy in specific corners of the world, be it a coastal paradise or a cluster of enchanting islands. These events serve as a rallying point for local racers, as sailors hailing from nearby towns and yacht clubs come together to showcase their skills. 

What’s particularly enticing about regional races is their inclusivity. Whether you’re piloting a nimble dinghy or commanding a majestic yacht, these races often welcome boats of all types and sailors of all levels. Whether you’re a seasoned sea veteran or a novice setting sail for the first time, there’s a class tailored to your needs at most of these local sailing races.

It’s not all about the competition! Regional races transform into grand sailing events, where communities burst to life for multiple days of festivities while showcasing their local flavor. Sailors gather, forge new friendships, and revel in their shared passion for this incredible sport.

Moreover, these races often offer affordable entry fees, ensuring accessibility to aspiring racers of all backgrounds. Some races may be shorter and less arduous than epic ocean crossings, making them ideal for sailors looking to refine their skills. Regional sailboat races are all about honoring the sport of sailing and the remarkable community it nurtures.

• Website: Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race
• Description: The Marblehead to Halifax Ocean Race is an offshore yacht race that takes participants from Marblehead, Massachusetts, to Halifax, Nova Scotia. It’s a challenging long-distance race across the North Atlantic.
• Website: Figawi Race Weekend
• Description: Figawi Race Weekend is a popular sailing event that includes both a race and a weekend of festivities. It starts in Hyannis, Massachusetts, and ends on Nantucket Island.
• Website: Block Island Race Week
• Description: Block Island Race Week is a biennial event that takes place on Block Island, Rhode Island. It features a series of races over the course of a week and is known for its lively social scene.
• Website: Vineyard Race
• Description: The Vineyard Race is an offshore race that starts and finishes in Stamford, Connecticut, with a course that takes sailors around Martha’s Vineyard. It’s known for its scenic course and challenging conditions.
• Website: Newport to Bermuda Race
• Description: The Newport to Bermuda Race is a classic offshore race that starts in Newport, Rhode Island, and finishes in Bermuda. It’s one of the most prestigious ocean races on the East Coast.
• Website: Ida Lewis Distance Race
• Description: The Ida Lewis Distance Race is a coastal race that starts and finishes in Newport, Rhode Island. It offers a variety of courses, including offshore and overnight racing.
• Website: Camden Classics Cup
• Description: The Camden Classics Cup is a regatta held in Camden, Maine, that celebrates classic and vintage sailing yachts. It’s a showcase of timeless sailboat designs.
• Website: Nantucket Race Week
• Description: Nantucket Race Week is a week-long sailing event held on Nantucket Island, Massachusetts. It includes a variety of racing classes and social activities, making it a family-friendly event.
• Website: Boothbay Harbor Regatta
• Description: The Boothbay Harbor Regatta is an annual regatta held in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. It features a mix of sailboat racing, social events, and onshore activities.
• Website: Annapolis to Newport Race
• Description: The Annapolis to Newport Race is a classic offshore race that starts in Annapolis, Maryland, and finishes in Newport, Rhode Island. This classic race takes sailors between two of the USA’s sailing epicenters.
• Website: Charleston Race Week
• Description: Charleston Race Week is a premier sailing event held in Charleston, South Carolina. It’s one of the largest regattas in the United States, featuring a wide range of sailboat classes and competitive racing.
• Website: Around Long Island Regatta
• Description: The Around Long Island Regatta is an annual offshore race that circumnavigates Long Island, New York. It’s a challenging race known for its variety of conditions and scenic views along the course.
• Website: Around Martha’s Vineyard Race
• Description: The Around Martha’s Vineyard Race is a sailing race that circumnavigates Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. 
• Website: Conanicut Yacht Club
• Description: The Around Jamestown Island Race is organized by the Conanicut Yacht Club and takes place in the waters around Jamestown Island, near Newport, Rhode Island. It’s a local race with stunning views of the Newport area.
• Website: Atlantic Cup
• Description: The Atlantic Cup is a premier Class 40 offshore racing series held along the East Coast of the United States. It features multiple legs and attracts international competitors. The race promotes sustainability and ocean health.

• Website: Rolex Big Boat Series
• Description: The Rolex Big Boat Series is a prestigious sailing event held in San Francisco, California. It’s known for attracting top sailors and a wide range of sailboat classes, making it a highlight of the West Coast racing calendar.
• Website: Pacific Cup
• Description: The Pacific Cup is a biennial offshore yacht race that takes participants from San Francisco, California to Kaneohe, Hawaii. It’s a challenging race known for its long-distance and unpredictable conditions.
• Website: Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race
• Description: This is one of the largest international yacht races, starting from Newport Beach, California, and finishing in Ensenada, Mexico. It features a wide range of sailboat classes and attracts sailors from around the world.
• Website: Baja Ha-Ha
• Description: The Baja Ha-Ha is an annual cruisers’ rally that starts in San Diego, California, and ends in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. While not a traditional race, it’s a popular event for sailors looking to cruise along the Baja California Peninsula.
• Website: Swiftsure International Yacht Race
• Description: The Swiftsure International Yacht Race is held in the waters off Victoria, British Columbia. It offers a variety of race courses, attracting both local and international sailors for a challenging competition.
• Website: Round the County Race
• Description: The Round the County Race is a sailing race that takes place in the beautiful San Juan Islands of Washington State. It offers a picturesque and challenging course for sailors.
• Website: Santa Barbara to King Harbor Race
• Description: This race starts in Santa Barbara, California, and finishes in Redondo Beach, California. It’s a popular offshore race along the Southern California coastline.
• Website: Southern Straits Yacht Race
• Description: The Southern Straits Yacht Race is a challenging overnight race that begins and ends in Vancouver, British Columbia. It’s known for its strategic and tactical sailing.
• Website: Long Beach Race Week
• Description: Long Beach Race Week is a multi-day regatta held in Long Beach, California. It features a variety of racing classes and attracts sailors of all levels.

Gulf of Mexico

• Website: Harvest Moon Regatta
• Description: The Harvest Moon Regatta is a popular offshore sailing race that takes participants from Galveston, Texas, to Port Aransas, Texas. It typically takes place in October and is known for its festive atmosphere.
• Website: New Orleans Yacht Club
• Description: The Race to the Coast is a sailing race that starts in New Orleans, Louisiana, and finishes in Gulfport, Mississippi. It’s organized by the New Orleans Yacht Club.
• Website: GBCA Performance Cup Series
• Description: The GBCA Performance Cup Series is a series of sailboat races organized by the Galveston Bay Cruising Association (GBCA) in Galveston, Texas. It includes various races and regattas throughout the year.
• Website: St. Petersburg Yacht Club
• Description: The St. Petersburg to Havana Race is an offshore race that starts in St. Petersburg, Florida, and finishes in Havana, Cuba. It’s organized by the St. Petersburg Yacht Club.
• Website: Clearwater Yacht Club
• Description: The Clearwater to Key Largo Race is an offshore sailing race that starts in Clearwater, Florida, and finishes in Key Largo, Florida. It’s organized by the Clearwater Yacht Club.

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Concord Pacific Racing poised for historic debut at the UniCredit Youth America's Cup

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Race Start Date Announced: July 15, 2024

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Full Moon for 2024 Race

July 15, 2024, is scheduled to be the first start for the 2024 Pacific Cup, the FUN race to Hawaii. Slowest boats will start that Monday, with faster boats starting later in the week, is the plan. Race organizers have to balance a number of factors in picking a start date. We prefer to start around 10 am to 2 pm, on an ebb tide. The date should be late enough that the Pacific High will have had a good chance to form, but not so late that we are into a high chance of tropical storms or somebody's school year. We really want a moon. This year,  the week of July 15  came closest to ideal, with a blazingly full moon set for the middle of the race. That's when we've scheduled our start for, and we hope to see you there.

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Sports | Gold Cup powerboat race highlights San Diego…

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Sports | Gold Cup powerboat race highlights San Diego Bayfair weekend on Mission Bay

San Diego Bayfair will also be hosting one of the more historic events in motorsports. The American Power Boat Association Gold Cup, which dates to 1904 — or seven years before the first Indianapolis 500.

Six of the turbine-powered Unlimiteds are entered in the event, with qualifying Friday, three heats races Saturday and three heats Sunday before the championship race around 3:45 p.m. Competition will be held on the 2½-mile Bill Muncey Memorial Course between East Vacation Isle and Crown Point Shores on the west and Fiesta Island on the east.

This will be the 56th Unlimited Hydroplane race on Mission Bay since 1964 and the fifth time San Diego has hosted the Gold Cup — although this is the first time since 1989.

The weekend program will also include racing in the automotive-powered Grand Prix class plus One Liters and other flatbottom and limited hydroplane classes.

“The goal is to have more action on the water plus other activities,” said race director Bob Davies. “It’s more than a race. It’s a festival.”

Historically, the saltwater Mission Bay course has been the fastest on the tour.

“Mission Bay is by far one of my favorite courses,” said three-time Mission Bay champion J. Michael Kelly. “Not only because it’s a very fast course that I’ve had success on, but it’s also a beautiful place to visit. It’s like a mini-vacation before and after a serious weekend of racing.”

The boat racing course was part of the charter when the Mission Bay aquatic park was first being developed in 1958. The curvature of East Vacation Isle and Fiesta Island was designed for the race course, with the sloping beach developed to dissipate waves from both race boats and recreational boat traffic.

While Kelly is one of the six Unlimited Hydroplane drivers here this weekend, he is not the one to beat.

Andrew Tate and his U-91 could clinch the season driver and boat championships during Saturday’s heats. With two wins, a second and a fourth in the season’s first four races, Tate and the U-91 hold a 949-point lead over teammate Corey Peabody and the U-9 entering the traditional Mission Bay season finale.

Tate won the season’s first two races at Guntersville, Ala., and Madison, Ind. Peabody defeated Tate at Tri-Cities, Wash. Kelly won in Seattle in the U-1.

Rounding out the six-boat fleet in the East Vacation Isle pits are the U-40 (Dustin Echols driving), U-11 (Jamie Nilsen) and the U-27 (Dave Villwock). Echols is third in points with 3,837, followed closely by Nilsen at 3,812 and Kelly at 3,795.

In addition to his win, Peabody has a runner-up finish, a sixth-place finish and a seventh-place finish this season. Echols has a third and three fifths. Nilsen has pair of seconds.

But don’t count out Villwock on Mission Bay. Now 70 years old, Villwock is the all-time leader in Unlimited Hydroplane wins with 67. He is 10-time winner of the Gold Cup and a 10-time champion on Mission Bay, where he last won in 2011. Villwock has been racing Unlimited since 1992, although he has twice retired only to return.

Tate scored his Mission Bay wins in 2014, ’19 and ’21. There was also no race during the pandemic year of 2020. Tate previously scored back-to-back wins in ’17 and ’18.

The rules of the Gold Cup places extra demands on Unlimited Hydroplane teams. The preliminary heats are each four laps. Sunday’s championship will be five laps of the 2.5-mile course.

The Unlimited Hydroplane program opens at 11 a.m. Friday with testing. Two 45-minute rounds of qualifying will commence at 12:50 p.m. and 2:35 p.m.

The Grand Prix boats powered by big-block automobile engines will race on a shorter 1 2/3-mile course between East Vacation Isle. The Grand Prix field includes a pair of entries from Australia. The One Liters and other hydro and flatbottom classes will also run on shorter courses with all the championship heats scheduled for Sunday.

One of the attractions of Bayfair is that it is the only weekend of the year when motorhomes and overnight camping is allowed on East Vacation Isle, Fiesta Island and Crown Point Shores. Limited spaces are still available on Fiesta Island and Crown Point Shores, although East Vacation Isle is sold out.

Three-day super passes are available for $60.

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