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Return of the Wizard

The cold 57 degree water sprays over the bow as the eight man crew stacks 13 heavy sails on one side for stability. Not long after the stack of sails is secured, it’s time to change sails. All hands are required to raise the new sail and pull the old sail down as the boat leaps over the waves. A crew member on the leeward side vomits over the side and quickly returns to his task, for there is no time for seasickness. The boat continues to pound and smash through waves into the night. The next day comes and another sail change is needed. This time it’s a sail change to accommodate downwind sailing. The boat begins to surf down the large following swell instead of smashing into it. This is typical of the first 24 hours of the 2,225- mile race from Los Angeles to Honolulu known as the Transpac. For the next several days of downwind sailing the air and wind will get warmer as the boat enters the tropical tradewinds. Evening squalls must be handled with caution and efficiency to gain the most from their high winds. The finish line off the Diamond Head lighthouse is among the best in yacht racing and is often the warmest and windiest part of the entire course.

How this Newport couple met at Transpac 2005

We met on Transpac 2005 at the Trophy Party at the Ilikai Hotel. Barbara was sitting at a dinner table with a mutual friend, Skip Allen. I stopped by to say hi to Skip, and he introduced us. The next morning, by fateful coincidence, I saw Barbara again, just as she emerged from one of the neighboring race boats, and just as I was walking down the dock with a crewmate, David Stotler (we were on Incredible, a Swan 53.)

Stotler and I were on our way to have breakfast at the Hawaii Yacht Club. A minute earlier or later and Barbara and I would have missed each other.

I asked Barbara if she would please join us for eggs benedict and champagne, and she said, “Yes.”

Then I replied, a bit presumptuously, “Great, then we can plan the rest of our day together.”

LESS THAN ONE WEEK TO START OF 2017 TRANSPAC

Numerous pre-race events will help celebrate the 49th edition of this classic ocean race

Los Angeles, CA -- The first wave of three starts to the 49th edition of the 2017 biennial Transpac Race starts next Monday, July 3rd, when 17 yachts in three monohull divisions will cross the start line at Point Fermin in Los Angeles to race to the finish at Diamond Head in Honolulu 2225 miles away. In addition, one yacht in the multihull division – Jerzy Poprawski’s catamaran Kastor Pollux - will make the start this day as well.

Pac52s Ready to Take on Transpac

Tom Holthus and Frank Slootman are fresh off a battle for supremecy in the latest Pac52 Class event at Long Beach Race Week, where Bad Pak pulled out a one point win over Invisible Hand. The Pac52 Class is in their inaugural racing season on the west coast racing in events from San Diego to San Francisco throughout 2017, with some non-class offshore racing in between.

Daily Video Briefs Made Possible by Inmarsat

Watch daily video updates directly from the race course! See current conditions, hear from the crews and get an on-board perspective of the race. Broadband satellite data transmission from participating entries provided by Inmarsat, Fleet Broadband and new Fleet One entry level broadband communications designed for all size boats. Check our WATCH page as we ramp up the excitement towards Transpac 2017 with kick off parties starting June 29th!