News
In addition to recognizing performance in elapsed and corrected time, this year’s 50th edition of the Transpacific Yacht Club’s biennial yacht race from LA to Honolulu is also offering three new trophies to award to eligible teams. Of the nearly 100 entries ready to start in a few weeks, already the interest has been keen to register for these new awards.
First is the new Nash Family Corinthian Trophy awarded to the yacht with an all “non-professional” Corinthian crew with the Fasted Corrected Time Overall. Yacht entries from all monohull classes are eligible for this Corinthian Trophy. The Notice of Race has more details on eligibility, and closing date to meet the eligibility criteria is July 1st. Already over a dozen teams have signed up to be eligible for this award.
The new Ronald L. Burla Trophy for Media Excellence will be awarded to the entry that provides the most creative and original media content related to their on-board experience while sailing in Transpac 50. Photos, videos and/or written stories are all eligible, with one submission made per boat sent after their start and before their finish in the race. A panel of judges from TPYC and the race's Media Team will decide the winner from among all submissions and announce this at the Awards Ceremony.
The Burla Trophy has a fascinating history, having been dedicated in 1908 with this inscription: “Greetings to Promotion Committee and Chamber of Commerce of Honolulu from Chamber of Commerce of San Pedro Commemorating Harbor Day and Trans-Pacific Yacht Race July 4th 1908.” As Publicity Director of the Hawaii Visitor’s Bureau and a founding member of Waikiki Yacht Club, Ron Burla was a tireless promoter of the race, taking the local press out to the finish line and is credited for having re-discovered this beautiful silver cup.
Michele Burla Parker provides more background on this special award:
“This is extremely meaningful to both of us as we spent many weekends at the Waikiki Yacht Club as children, with our parents, learning to sail. Dad was an avid sailor and staunch supporter of WYC and the Transpacific Yacht Club as well. Pam and I were both born in San Pedro, so the race has always had a special place in our hearts. Upon moving to Honolulu in 1954, our parents did as much as they could on and around the ocean. We spent many summers with Dad as he spearheaded the public relations and press corps for the TPYC races from 1957, until they moved to Kona in 1968. Fred Smales took over these duties for the TPYC when Mom & Dad moved from Honolulu.
“It would be my pleasure, and honor, to bring the trophy to Honolulu, and home to the Waikiki Yacht Club on behalf our family. Pam and I are especially thrilled to know that this beautiful piece of history will be in its rightful home after all these years!”
And in addition to these three new awards, there is also the Mark S. Rudiger Celestial Navigation Trophy named in memory of famed offshore navigator Mark Rudiger. This antique brass T. Hemsley & Son silver-vernier, A-frame sextant from 1905 donated by Stan Honey is awarded to the navigator who submits celestial navigation worksheets or evidence of traditional navigation to the finish inspectors immediately after finishing, and whose work is selected as the "best" by an impartial panel of judges.
More information on selection criteria can be found at https://2019.transpacyc.com/
“As much as we enjoy celebrating the performance of those who sail the race course fast,” said TPYC Commodore Tom Hogan, “we are also proud of our ‘special’ trophies that recognize achievements in other aspects and dimensions of this historic race. Its this rich heritage we think keeps Transpac popular and relevant across the generations.”
For more information on Transpac 50, visit the event website at https://2019.transpacyc.com.