News
For almost 100 years, Transpac and Whittier Trust have shared a commitment to meeting challenges. It was in 1923 that Max Whittier entered his family’s 107-foot war surplus yawl Pointsettia in the Transpac. They were met with the challenge of old, worn-out sails that failed when the wind blew hard, and no engine for when the wind quit.
Nonetheless, the family persevered with a commitment to offshore sailing, enjoying the sport “not because its easy, but because its hard,” as another sailor, John F. Kennedy, once said… OK, JFK was describing space travel, but you get the idea.
In our current times of pandemic uncertainty, Transpacific YC is also facing challenges: how can a major ocean racing event be held in a manner that is safe but also fulfilling to its participants, organizers and sponsors. Many shoreside features of this year’s race will be quite different than in normal years in deference to the health and safety for all concerned. Yet TPYC is pledged to conduct this race in this difficult year because the event is, at its core, all about life at sea and the enjoyment the participants receive in meeting this challenge.
Whittier, as a Heritage Sponsor for Transpac, understands this on many levels. Like the challenge of offshore sailing, their pledge to their clients is to use sound wealth management strategies that can weather a variety of challenges and still deliver beneficial results. And just like Max Whittier nearly a century ago, there is still a personal investment made in Transpac by members of the Whittier Trust team.
David Dahl, CEO of Whittier Trust, is racing in this year’s Transpac with his two sons Michael and Sean in a partnership arrangement with other owners of the aptly-named Andrews 77, Compadres, based in Newport Beach. Saying that they’re doing the race because of “too many conversations in the Newport Harbor Yacht Club Pirates Den,” their goal is to have a race that will be safe, fast and fun. The team of 14 is planning to train for the Transpac by competing in several distance races in Southern California and Mexico before the long race to Honolulu in July.
“Racing on the Pacific Ocean is a test of the human spirit,” said Dahl. “You never know what to expect – uncertainty reigns. You must be prepared to handle anything, with experts supporting you. Whittier’s culture is to be prepared for steady winds to squalls. On board Compadres we are surrounded by experienced sailors, like our clients at Whittier who are surrounded by expert client and investment advisors. Like chess, our financial and family support strategy is multifaceted and intergenerational. Success relies on a team effort and is rarely achieved independently.”
TPYC thanks Whittier Trust for their ongoing support as the Heritage Sponsor of the 51st Transpac, and wishes the Compadres team godspeed in the offshore challenges that lie ahead.