Beecom's Speed attempt to Japan

by Super Yachting Challenge on 11 Jul 2006 Beecom’s Honolulu – Yokohama Challenge

True wind speed 32 Knots - Direction 065 degrees, Japanese sailing yacht, Beecom, made her start for a Honolulu – Yokohama record. The starting line is at Diamond Head; the finishing line is at the Joshima Lighthouse, Yokohama, Japan. The challenge is intended to set a new WSSRC crewed monohull special category Transpac record. WSSRC timekeeper, Michael Roth—a U.S. certified sailing judge—recorded Beecom’s start.

Not content to sit out an opportunity for a Transpacific record (Beecom’s attempt last week having been sidelined due to temperamental wind conditions), the crew has provisioned and alerted all necessary authorities regarding the yacht’s new challenge. And, while there are a few changes on board—most notably that owner, Isao Mita, has returned to Japan and has assigned skipper responsibilities to Kanai Yoshiki—anticipation for an exciting challenge is palpable.

Says New Zealand sailing veteran, David Munday (as well as author of Beecom’s daily Munders at Sea updates), “We’re thrilled to be headed out again. It’s a great reminder about the nature of sailing these fantastic boats. Little wind last week doesn’t mean no attempt this week. We’re just as ready to go as that first day under the Golden Gate Bridge. Of course, we’ll miss Mr. Mita because it’s a thrill to be involved with an owner as dedicated to the sport as he is. Likewise, we applaud his decision to let us take this magnificent sloop back to sea to try to establish this record. We hope to do him proud.”

Support of Beecom by the Hawaiian local sailing community in her transition has been warm and welcomed. Both Beecom’s crew and the SYCE syndicate extend their appreciation to the Waikiki Yacht Club, North Sails, West Marine and the many others who made the logistics for Beecom’s change of course possible.

The record to establish: Diamond Head, Hawaii – Joshima Light, Japan


The Crew:
Hanai Yoshiki (Japan), Skipper
Hiroshi Kusu (Japan)
Koichi Matsuzaki (Japan)
Kazuhiro Nishimura (Japan)
Derek Saward (NZ)
Ben Costello (NZ)
Robert Shaw (NZ)
Joseph Wilson (NZ)
Thomas Kiff (UK)
David Munday (NZ)


Beecom:

Sail number: Jpn 5535
Rig: sloop
LOA (ft.): 72.00
Draft (ft): 12.8
Beam (ft): 16.4
Hull color: Blue
Yacht club: Tokyo Bay Sailing Club
Hailing port: Road Harbour, B.V.I
Designer: Reichel-Pugh
Class or type: R/P 72
Builder: Marten Yachts
Where built: New Zealand
Year launched: 2004

Owner/Skipper: Isao Mita