NewsNEWPORT BEACH--- Transpacific Yacht Club Commodore Al Garnier turned over the helm to Dale Nordin for the next biennium at the organization's off-year dinner meeting, which also recognized the enduring role of club administrator Cathie Nash.
However, this isn't really an off-year for the TPYC or Nash. While Transpac runs in odd-numbered years, the club is resurrecting its Tahiti Race after a hiatus of 14 years. The 3,571-nautical mile race will start June 22 from Point Fermin in San Pedro.
Nash, of Newport Beach, is recovering from quadruple bypass surgery following a heart attack she suffered Jan. 2 while visiting friends in Hawaii. Appointed by Commodore Richard Steele in 1982, she is in her 27th year as a behind-the-scenes stalwart who doesn't race but, as commodores come and go, keeps the TPYC's functions and paperwork in order.
During the event at Newport Harbor Yacht Club Feb. 8, Garnier presented her with a two-week cruise for two to Alaska and a necklace bearing a rare "sunrise shell" jewel found only in Hawaii.
"I really was stunned," Nash said. "I'm thankful so many of my friends were there."
She has served 13 commodores, several of whom were present. The past two---Jerry Montgomery and Garnier---have presided over the creation of Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach as the mainland home port for the race.
With the strong support of the City of Long Beach, the site is now a feature of the city's annual Sea Festival with special events and formal sendoffs for the boats before each of three starts. Visitors mingle with the sailors making last-minute preparations to their boats, and 11 permanent monuments dedicated last year commemorate the decades of one of the world's premier ocean races.
[Al Garnier (r.) turns Commodore's Trophy over to Dale Nordin] In passing the Commodore's Trophy along to Nordin, Garnier said, "Rainbow Harbor is now a part of the race and it is going to grow. We will continue to work to involve the public even more."
The Transpacific Yacht Club has maintained a sponsorship agreement with Casio Computer Co., Ltd., to make the company's Oceanus watch the official timekeeper of the 45th biennial race. The Oceanus is a solar-powered chronograph watch with a time signal-calibration function developed by making full use of Casio's advanced electronic technologies.