Hot fleet for Transpac 2013
Diverse fleet with plenty of Aussie favourites to watch in the Pacific classicSixty boats have so far entered for the 2013 Transpac race from Los Angeles to Diamond head, Hawaii.
The 47th running of the classic Transpacific Race will kick off with the first starts on Monday, July 8, 2013. The Aloha sendoff events will be rocking Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach the weekend of July 6 and 7. Starts are staggered to try to have the fleet finish as close as possible to each other.
The Transpac is the longest of the two oldest ocean races in the world, covering a distance of 2225 nautical miles.
For more than a century, sailors have competed in the Transpacific Yacht Race, a race that was envisioned by Hawaii’s last monarch, King David Kalakaua.
From the shores of California to the foot of Diamond Head, Oahu, the Transpac has been synonymous with challenge, adventure, teamwork and excellence -- inspiring a sense of achievement and camaraderie in participants that is said to be enduring -- since in started in 1906.
The race attracts all manner if yachts from classics to super maxis. A glance through the entry list will attest to this with Syd Fisher’s Ragamuffin 100 being the biggest in the fleet and one to watch to try to take the race record from Neville Crichton’s Alfa Romeo.
Back in 2009, Crichton sliced over 26 hours off the previous record held by Hasso Plattner (Morning Glory) when he posted a time of 5 days 14 hours 36 minutes 20 seconds.
Compare that to the slowest time from Los Angeles of 22 days 11 hours 36 minutes 15 seconds by James and Ann Read (Camille), who did the race double-handed in 2005.
Another notable boat to watch is the beautiful S&S 52 yawl Dorade which won the race in 1936. The boat was built in 1930 and was owned by non other Ohlin Stephens himself -- reputedly the only yacht he ever privately owned.
For the parochial Aussies among us, keep an eye out for Newcastle boat Funnelweb. Fresh (if you could call it that) from the Melbourne to Osaka double-handed race, the Hick 15 is backing up for the Transpac.
Certainly for the armchair racers, who love to follow the world ocean-racing scene, this is one to watch.
For more information go to: www.transpacrace.com.
Photos: The lovely Sparkman and Stephens yawl Dorade and the sleek 70-foot Peligroso from Mexico.
Read the latest Boatsales Network news and reviews on your mobile, iPhone or PDA at
. Or download theTags
Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
