Pacific Cup – Cruising Division starts

Pacificcup2014

The first division of the 2014 Pacific Cup began their voyage on July 6 from San Francisco to Hawaii in the first ever Cruising division for this event. This 2,070-mile race across the Pacific Ocean is an event that can offer more than just a thrilling trek measured by time elapsed, but also an eye opening voyage to one of the world’s most exotic locations.

“We want to sail to Hawaii, and the Pacific Cup has enabled us to do it with wonderful support”, sums up the skippers’ thoughts in this voyage. Creating a whole new division for these skippers who do not care to race can only benefit the sailing community because of the widening of acceptance for any willing participants.

In a race where winning is an afterthought, it is hard to see a skipper have to end their race so early. Ratpure, a Caliber 40LRC Sloop-Cutter, skippered by Gregory Newman, crossed the starting line in 4th place.  Soon after leaving San Francisco Bay, Newman informed race officials that he was unable to turn off the engine and was concerned about finishing.  Rapture is back at home in Berkeley looking to fix her mechanical issues.

While these skippers are taking a carefree approach to Hawaii, the serious racers began yesterday, July 7, with the Alaska Airlines Division (higher-PHRF rating boats) and the ‘Iwi Double-handed Division (for smaller boats). The rest of the racers will begin their race on their Tuesday, Thursday, or Friday. 

You can find all starting times for each division on the Pacific Cup’s website (https://pacificcup.org/entries), and further details and photos of the race will be posted on the Pacific Cup’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/PacCup).

By Ocean Navigator