All Eyes Turn to the Transpac 2009
Submitted by Sail Southern California - Sailing Blog
The Transpac begins its’ staggered start process today at 1pm when Division 6 and 7 get underway. Division 3,4 and 5 start on Thursday, July 2nd while Division 1 and 2 depart Long Beach on Sunday, July 5th. Division 6 and 7 consisting of 11 boats, includes the smallest boat in the fleet, a Hobie 33 as well as the Tall Ship Lynx. The lowest rated boat in Division 7 is an S&S 57 named, “Charisma”. The lowest rated boat in Division 6 is “Relentless”, a One-Design 35. Five SC50’s comprise Division 5 and four SC52’s make up half of division 4. Division 3 is quite an international group with two entries from Japan and one from Mexico. The lowest rated boat in the Division 3 is “Criminal Mischief”, an RP45. Division One and Two comprise 17 boats including Roy Disney on “Pyewacket”, sailing in his 18th Transpac. West Coast veterans include “Alchemy”, a Andrews 68 and “Ragtime”, a Spencer 65. The other six boats in Division 2 are all SC70 sleds. Division 1 features four TP52’s including the storied, “Samba Pa Ti’. The division also includes “Magnitude 80″, an Andrews 80 as well as “Akela”, an RP78
Much of the scuttlebut surrounding the race revolves around it’s lowest rated boat, “Alfa Romeo”, shown here. With a rating of -32.997, this RP100 is capable of taking the record for the race (6 days, 16 hours) as well as line honors despite leaving 6 days after the slower divisions. Owned by New Zealander, Neville Crichton and includes VOR experienced pro crew as well as Stan Honey, Transpac’s winningest navigator.
Armchair racers can keep track of the progress as it unfolds, here.
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