Please select your home edition
Edition
Zhik 2024 December

Transpac-Tahiti Race postponed

by Transpacific Yacht Club 31 Mar 2020 22:44 PDT From May 28, 2020

Organizers from the Transpacific Yacht Club and Archipelagoes in Papeete announce the planned May 28th start of the 3570-mile Transpac-Tahiti Race from Los Angeles to Tahiti has been postponed.

While racing at sea has no inherent risk in the pandemic, the recent imposition of public health restrictions in both California and French Polynesia have made it nearly impossible for entries to prepare or plan for both the race and its logistical support.

"While our fleet is small, we still have concerns for everyone's health and safety," Race Committee Chairman Tom Trujillo, "and we want to be fully compliant with the letter and spirit of the current regulations."

Possible new start dates are being reviewed in consultation with current entries and weather experts. The latter is important to minimize another risk: the South Pacific tropical storm season, where strong winds and high seas may cross the race course during summer months.

Currently there are 10 entries - 8 monohulls and 2 multihulls - one of the strongest turnouts in the history of the race, which has been held only 14 times since its inaugural edition in 1925. Entry Chairman Dave Cort believes this decision may lose a few of the current entries, but may pick up some more.

"There is a lot of interest in going to Auckland for the next America's Cup in 2021," said Cort, "and some want to use this race to get to the South Pacific and keep going west. We may see more interest in entering among those with this agenda."

The Transpac Tahiti 2020 has been supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Air Tahiti Nui, the Municipality of Papeete and the Port Master of Papeete.

For more information about "Being a Part of the South Seas Legend" in the Transpac Tahiti Race 2020, visit the event's website at www.transpac-tahiti.com.

Related Articles

Transpac Onboard Episode 5
Zeroing in on the finish We check back in with Stan Honey, navigator of 88-foot Lucky, on the heels of a 24-hour 380-mile run. Posted on 10 Jul
Who made the right call to get to the breeze?
And how technology is changing the Transpac Race to Hawaii Boats racing in the 2025 Transpac continue to reel in the offshore miles toward the finish line off Honolulu, Hawaii, in the 53rd edition of this historic 2,225-nautical-mile race. Posted on 9 Jul
Transpac Onboard Episode 4
Anything Can Happen at Sea All Transpac 2025 competitors are now at sea and actively racing to Hawaii. We take a look at the Pasha Live Race Tracker and talk about the significant wind hole confronting a contingent of competitors. Posted on 8 Jul
Transpac 2025 final starters depart LA
The largest boats with the longest waterlines already burning up the miles to Hawaii The 20 biggest, fastest boats racing in the 2025 Transpac began their offshore sprint from Los Angeles, California, to Honolulu, Hawaii, on Saturday. Posted on 6 Jul
Transpac's Middle fleet sets off for Diamond Head
Seventeen boats begin the 2,225-mile Pacific Crossing in light air conditions Seventeen boats begin the 2,225-mile Pacific Crossing in light air conditions in Transpac's second start. Posted on 4 Jul
Transpac 2025 underway
Sixteen boats hit the line for the first start, departing LA for Hawaii Sixteen boats hit the line for the first start of three in the 2025 Transpac. Next stop: Hawaii. Posted on 2 Jul
Stan Honey's 3 ways to win (or lose) the Transpac
Stan breaks down all three race segments Taking a breather from pre-race prep on the largest boat in the fleet, Stan breaks down all three race segments and provides a pre-race weather report. Posted on 1 Jul
Bill Guilfoyle on the 2025 Transpacific Yacht Race
Bill Guilfoyle discusses the 2025 Transpacific Yacht Race When it comes to offshore sailing in the United States, the biennial Transpacific Yacht Race reigns supreme for its distance and promise of off-the-breeze sailing angles. Posted on 1 Jul
Transpac 2025 opens with Aloha send off
Aloha Spirit & Naval salutes on aboard historic USS Iowa It's not every day that serious offshore sailors get the opportunity to party aboard a decommissioned WWII battleship—but it's also not every day that world-class sailors gather to race across 2,225 miles of open Pacific Ocean. Posted on 29 Jun
Transpac 2025 division breaks announced
The race starts are on July 1 & 5 for the different divisions Division breaks announced for the 2025 Transpac taking place in July. Posted on 22 Jun
Switch One DesignMackay Boats 728x90 BOTTOMHenri-Lloyd Dynamic Range