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| S/V Chasch Mer in the Molokai Channel |
Chasch Mer, has entered the 2011 Transpac:
The Transpac. Los Angeles to Honolulu. It's a classic race sailed over a classic course. Run every other year by the venerable Transpacific YC, the course begins off Los Angeles Harbor, then chinks back and forth as the fleet beats offshore past the Santa Barbara Islands. There follows a quick skirt along the southeast quadrant of the Pacific high as the boats drop down through the latitudes looking for the northeasterly trade winds that will let them run - setting everything they've got for the push to the southwest and Oahu.
Once the trades fill in, it becomes a downwind sprint with those fabulous sweeping rushes across the crests of endless trade-wind rollers. It can go on for days until finally the thumping surge of the Molokai Channel precedes the full speed press across the finish line at Diamond Head. It's a test of seamanship, and if there's any wind at all, it is not a race for the fainthearted.
...and with the intent to join the race comes the inevitable preparation. My part in all of this actually started well over a year in advance of the July race with an e/m in March of '10 from the owner Gib Black asking if I was interested. Having done the 2007 TP on this same sailboat I of course said I was interested.
August '11 this press release went out:
HAWAIIAN BOAT IS FIRST OUT THE GATE Entries are open for the next great race of the Pacific Ocean And- It is not at a moment too soon to start thinking about 2011, tradewind sailing, and the final rush to Diamond Head in the 46th Transpacific Yacht Race. Worldwide, only a handful of truly great distance races make the must-do list. This is the one that ends, ALOHA! Anyone who has ever raced the Transpac will find all the good parts still in place. Gathering the fleet at Rainbow Harbor, Long Beach, ahead of the race is a great addition to the second century of Transpac, and the state of Hawaii has made tremendous improvements to our end point, Ala Wai Harbor in Honolulu. A tradition that began in 1906 just keeps getting better.  First gun is only 11 months away-July 4, 2011-and once again there will be trophies for double-handed entries as well as the fully crewed divisions that attract grand prix boats, cruiser-racers, and families that sail together. Transpacific Yacht Club Commodore Bill Lee said, "I am proud to announce that Gib Black, representing the State of Hawaii, is our first entry. We are looking forward to a great Los Angeles to Honolulu race in 2011 and encourage everyone to join us as a participant, a volunteer, or a spectator." Your Transpac, on-line along with the on-line entry form at transpacrace.com you will find the Notice of Race, Transpac history and facts, prize lists, photo galleries from recent races, and information about the Transpacific Yacht Club. We are a volunteer organization of 600 people, all veterans of transpacific races, dedicated to preserving and sharing one of the best ocean-crossing experiences to be found anywhere on this lovely blue planet of ours. If you have never raced Transpac, but you're feeling the need, we want to talk to you. |
| A SECOND CENTURY ACROSS THE PACIFIC The Transpacific Yacht Race, 2,225 nautical miles from Los Angeles to Hawaii, is sailed in odd-numbered years as the oldest and longest enduring ocean race in the world. Originally, it was the vision of Hawaii's King Kalakaua as a way to build the islands' ties with the mainland U.S., although he didn't live to see his dream come true in 1906, when Clarence MacFarlane organized the first race. The many famous celebrities who have sailed and won the 44 Transpacs include Roy E. Disney, actor Frank Morgan and such business tycoons as Hasso Plattner, Larry Ellison, Richard Rheem, Doug DeVos, Jim Kilroy and Philippe Kahn. In the past 100 years, Transpac has become synonymous with challenge, adventure, teamwork and excellence ... inspiring a sense of achievement and camaraderie in participants, that lasts a lifetime. |
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