First start for 2008 Pacific Cup

by Barbara McGowan on 19 Jul 2008 Saturday's start will see the fastest in the fleet: light long race machines designed to make the crossing in times close to a week or less. Constructed of carbon fiber, titanium, and no small amount of careful engineering, these boats are the greyhounds of the fleet and include Philippe Kahn's Pegasus (Honolulu), hoping to beat Stan Honey's double-handed 1992 record of 8 days 20 hours 43M with Paul Simonson on Simonson's Santa Cruz 70, Mongoose, as well as larger, fully-crewed efforts like Velos, a 73-foot custom sloop skippered by Kjell Hesterhave (Temecula, CA).

The boats already racing report pleasant sailing conditions after a frustratingly light Monday. The weather patterns had been somewhat unusual for the beginning of the race, leading many competitors to adopt initial courses well north or south of conventional strategies. Raindrop, a Cascade 36 sailed by Joby Easton and Bill Huseby (Portland, Ore.), took a major dive south and has profited by the move, holding on to a solid first place in the double-handed 1 division.

Among the fully-crewed boats, Shaman, a Cal 40 from Alameda, Calif., is leading division A, but only a few hours projected time separate her from the runners-up. Similarly, Music, a Nordic 44 from Bellingham, Wash., and Sweet Okole, a Farr 36 from Richmond, Calif. lead their divisions by thin margins at the time of this writing.

At the daily 'Children's Hour,' a free-format radio discussion time among the racers, spirits were high as a good breeze had filled in, allowing boats to proceed toward their chosen waypoints with speed. 'No Ka Oi is Hawaiian for 'perfectly trimmed spinnaker' announced a spokesman for No Ka Oi, a Gibsea 43 from Brisbane, Calif. A bit later, Tiki Blue (Beneteau 423 from San Francisco) announced the loss of a pair of spinnakers to wind perhaps a bit too boisterous for the choice of course and sail. Repairs are underway.

Also underway, according to reports, are repairs to two heads (marine toilets), two radios, and at least one generator. Unlike in-the-bay racing, ocean racing over long distances calls not only for superior tactics and boat handling skills, but also equipment repair skills, for broken gear will not only slow a boat's progress but also will impair crew comfort and possibly safety. Racers carry a range of backup and overlapping safety gear to assure a safe - if not always swift - passage.

Updated official standings may be found at www.PacificCup.org, which also has links to time-delayed satellite reports.

The Pacific Cup:

Started in 1980, the Pacific Cup race has attracted sailors of all stripes, from the hard-core ocean racer to the family ready and prepared for a true adventure. Roy Disney, Stan Honey, Philippe Kahn, and other luminaries in the sport have taken home Pacific Cup trophies, as have many family enterprises.

The 2008 race will be one of the most heavily-attended in recent years, with 61 entries from 24 to 73 feet competing for a range of trophies including the Pacific Cup itself for best corrected time over the 2070-mile course.
Pacific Cup Yacht Club (PCYC) was established in 1979 to run the biennial Pacific Cup. PCYC's mission is to realize the dreams of 70 or more yachts full of sailors, in a competitive, safe, and fun race from San Francisco to Hawaii.

As such, its pre-race seminars are not only qualifying events for Pacific Cup participation but a way to introduce and encourage participation in offshore sailing. Visit the official site at www.PacificCup.org

About the Storm Trysail Club - The Storm Trysail Club (STC), reflecting in its name the sail which must be shortened when facing adverse conditions, is one of the world's most respected sailing clubs, with its membership comprised strictly of skilled blue water and ocean racing sailors.

In addition to holding various prestigious offshore racing events (including the Fort Lauderdale to Key West Race, Block Island Race Week presented by Rolex and Block Island Race), STC also hosts the Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta and annual junior safety-at-sea seminars.

It also has developed, in cooperation with the Transpacific Yacht Club, the Storm Trysail Transpac 65 and the Box Rule that will govern its design.

Additional information is available at www.stormtrysail.org.