Six disabled sailors for Transpac

by Media Services on 9 Mar 2005 It all began in 1991 when the founders of San Diego-based Challenged America first stated that one day they (sailors with disabilities) would race across the Pacific Ocean in the Transpacific Yacht Race.

Funding shortfalls led to two failed attempts to enter the race in 1993 and 1995, but this once boastful statement became a reality in 2003. Two of the original Challenged America founders, Bob Hettiger, paraplegic, and Urban Miyares, blind, have since realized their dream.

Joining three other sailors with disabilities and one able-bodied crew member (2003 Team Challenged America), they raced 2,225 nautical miles from California, to Hawaii, in the 2003 Transpac Yacht Race, finishing in a respectable 13-plus days.

Why the Transpac? This is that one race which every serious offshore racing sailor and many others want to do at least once, yet few actually do.

For serious and competitive sailors with disabilities, it's the Mount Everest that needs to be climbed. This demanding race contains all the elements of being challenged by the sea and who can best meet such challenges.

The Transpac tests physical ability, stamina, sailing skills and seamanship. Definitely not a race for everyone. It was once believed to be a race much too dangerous and physically demanding for a crew of sailors having significant disabilities to safely accomplish independently. That was until Team Challenged America achieved the feat in 2003.

A 24 hour per day, non-stop race requiring self-sufficiency, the Transpac traditionally has strong 25-35 knot trade winds and 10 to 14 foot cresting seas, the Transpac is one of the longest, non-stop ocean races between ports in the world, other than an around-the-world race.

Top racing sailors from around the world, racing on the largest and fastest of ocean-racing yachts, are attracted to the Transpac.

Starting July 11, this is the 100th anniversary Transpac and ‘Making Waves Productions’ will be filming Team Challenged America for an independent film documentary on their challenge to accomplish such a daunting ocean race. They will also focus on their extreme physical and medical limitations, along with in-depth stories.

The Challenged America 2005 Transpac Team has been selected. From 44 original candidates with disabilities living throughout the United States and Canada, Mexico, Europe and South Africa, the six Challenged America ‘A’ Team members are:

* Ryan Baker - paraplegic (San Diego, CA);

* Jim Halverson - leg amputee and cancer survivor (San Juan Capistrano, California);

* Urban Miyares - total blind, hearing impaired, organ transplant recipient, diabetes (San Diego, California);

* Jeff Reinhold - quadriplegic (Seattle, Washington):

* Joshua Ross, skipper (San Diego, California);

* Kevin Wixom - leg amputee (San Diego, California).

The Challenged America Transpac ‘B’ Team consists of the Transpac veterans from the 2003 Team, and others with disabilities.

The Challenged America Transpac racing boat, B'Quest, a Tripp 40, was donated to Challenged America by Brian and Suzanne Hull from California.

Hundreds of sailors with disabilities and their loved ones from around the world participate in Challenged America programs each year.

Follow the route and daily reports of the Challenged America Transpac Team on www.YachtRacing.com

For additional information on Challenged America visit www.ChallengedAmerica.org/