Stark Raving Mad III withdraws from Transpac

by Rich Roberts on 16 Jun 2007
Stark Raving Mad III, one of the leading contenders for honors, has withdrawn from next month's 44th Transpacific Yacht Race to Hawaii.

Jim Madden, owner/skipper of the new Reichel/Pugh 66 from Newport Beach, informed entries chairman Bill Lee Friday: 'Though the boat is primed and ready to go, a recent health issue impacting me has developed, and the time required for resolution will go beyond the dates for the race.'

The withdrawal leaves the entry list with 76 boats, one more than in 2005 and the second most entries next to the record of 80 in 1979.

Just last weekend Madden served as chairman of the First Team Real Estate Invitational Regatta for the Hoag Cup, where his dark blue, canting-keeled boat waged a spirited competition with Doug Baker's Magnitude 80---a rivalry they had hoped to continue in the Transpac.

Madden said, 'I don’t have a life threatening condition, and my prognosis is excellent. The darn issue is that what I have just happened at a horrible time for the race, but I will be fine in a few months. I am very disappointed we won’t be in the race.'

The complete entry list and much more race information is at www.transpacificyc.org