Please select your home edition
Edition
North Sails Loft 57 Podcast

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

Last Transpac 2025 Starters are First to Celebrate
Honoring the first of three rounds of trophy winners & celebrating Transpac's bright future The Transpacific Yacht Race celebrated its first Trophy Ceremony for the 2025 edition of this biennial ocean race on Tuesday, July 15, at Waikiki Yacht Club, in Honolulu, Hawaii. Posted on 17 Jul
Alli Bell & Restless crew to make Transpac history
On course to be the first woman skipper to win Transpac overall Alli Bell and the crew of her Cal 40 Restless took a winch handle to the notion that winning the Transpacific Yacht Race's top corrected-time prize requires membership in an old-boys club or a mighty war chest. Posted on 15 Jul
How Transpac's first finishers earned the podium
The first teams to reach Diamond Head are as varied as they are inspiring From a maxi-sled to a doublehanded keelboat and a 68-foot catamaran, the first teams to reach Diamond Head are as varied as they are inspiring. Posted on 14 Jul
Transpac 2025 Update: Moon River Tonight!
The magic of offshore racing in the 2025 Transpac A vast ocean separates Los Angeles, California, from Honolulu, Hawaii, but the boats racing in this year's Transpac have now crossed the halfway mark. Race leaders are in the tradewinds and making their approach to the Aloha State. Posted on 11 Jul
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
North Sails Loft 57 PodcastMaritimo M600Switch One Design