THE FUN RACE TO HAWAII IS UNDERWAY

Earlier this month, many UK Sailmakers customers embarked on the 2024 Pacific Cup Race, setting sail from San Francisco to the Kaneohe Yacht Club in Oahu. Competitors crossed under the iconic Golden Gate Bridge with three start dates, (July 15th, 17th, and 18th) staggered to allow the slower boats to start first. The Monday starters struggled to escape the light air that kept them stationary for 24 hours, while the Wednesday and Thursday starters found favorable breezes right outside the Gate. Most boats have now shifted from reaching to running in warmer air, working the angles, managing sails, and charting the quickest course to Kaneohe Bay.

Day One: A Slow Start

The first day of the 2024 Pacific Cup was marked by a lack of coastal winds, resulting in a slow start for the initial group of competitors. This group, which included four divisions and 32 boats, faced light air for the first 24 hours. The divisions were:

  • Double Handed 1: 7 boats
  • Double Handed 2: 9 boats
  • PHRF 1: 9 boats
  • PHRF 2: 7 boats

Despite the challenging conditions, these sailors persevered, hoping for better winds as they ventured further from the coast.

Davidson 44, IMAGINE (left) and Cal 40, AZURE (right), at the 2024 Pacific Cup. Photos © Irina Potekhina - White Raven Media.
Davidson 44, IMAGINE (left) and Cal 40, AZURE (right), at the 2024 Pacific Cup. Photos © Irina Potekhina – White Raven Media.

Day Two: Clear Skies and Steady Winds

The second day of starts saw 26 more boats on their way to Hawaii. These faster divisions enjoyed clear skies and 10-15 knots of wind from the usual westerly direction right out of the gate:

  • PHRF 3: 10 boats
  • PHRF 4: 9 boats
  • ORR 1: 5 boats
  • Multihull Division: 2 boats

Day Three: Strong Winds for the Final Starters

By the third and final day of starts, the winds had picked up, providing ideal sailing conditions with winds in the high teens to low 20 knot range. The only class to start this day was the ORR 2 division, consisting of six boats. The return of the usual coastal flow of northwesterly wind allowed this last group a quick exit through the gate and offshore.

UK Sailmakers Competitors

Several UK Sailmakers customers from the Los Angeles and San Francisco lofts joined the fleet for the Monday and Wednesday starts, including:

Aaron Wangenheim’s Santa Cruz 52, CITY LIGHTS: Expected to be the first UK Sailmakers customer to finish, with an estimated arrival on July 27th, sailing in the Ocean Navigator ORR 1 Division. Photos © Irina Potekhina - White Raven Media.
Aaron Wangenheim’s Santa Cruz 52, CITY LIGHTS: Expected to be the first UK Sailmakers customer to finish, with an estimated arrival on July 27th, sailing in the Ocean Navigator ORR 1 Division. Photos © Irina Potekhina – White Raven Media.
Rodney Pimentel’s Cal 40, AZURE: One of four Cal 40s in this year's race, sailing in the Weems & Plath PHRF 1 Division. Photo © Irina Potekhina - White Raven Media.
Rodney Pimentel’s Cal 40, AZURE: One of four Cal 40s in this year’s race, sailing in the Weems & Plath PHRF 1 Division. Photo © Irina Potekhina – White Raven Media.
Robert Jones' LITTLE SUR: The Synergy 100, racing doublehanded in the Pasha Doublehanded 2 Division. Photo © Irina Potekhina - White Raven Media.
Robert Jones’ LITTLE SUR: The Synergy 100, racing doublehanded in the Pasha Doublehanded 2 Division. Photo © Irina Potekhina – White Raven Media.

From the Pacific Northwest, two UK Sailmakers customers made the long journey to the San Francisco start line:

Adam Serediuk’s Beneteau 43, PLANET EXPRESS: Competing in the NAOS Yachts PHRF 4 Division. Photo © Irina Potekhina - White Raven Media.
Adam Serediuk’s Beneteau 43, PLANET EXPRESS: Competing in the NAOS Yachts PHRF 4 Division. Photo © Irina Potekhina – White Raven Media.
AJ Hesford's Olson 30, FIASCO: Competing in the Goslings PHRF 2 Division. Photo © Irina Potekhina - White Raven Media.
AJ Hesford’s Olson 30, FIASCO: Competing in the Goslings PHRF 2 Division. Photo © Irina Potekhina – White Raven Media.

Challenges and Retirements

The race was not without its challenges. IMAGINE, Wyatt Jones’ Davidson 44, reported mechanical issues on the night of July 17th. They lost steering due to a pedestal failure but safely made their way to Santa Cruz using their autopilot and emergency rudder. They were entered in the NAOS Yachts PHRF 4 Division.

Wyatt Jones' Davidson 44, IMAGINE, at the 2024 Pacific Cup Wednesday start. Photo © Irina Potekhina - White Raven Media.
Wyatt Jones’ Davidson 44, IMAGINE, at the 2024 Pacific Cup Wednesday start. Photo © Irina Potekhina – White Raven Media.

Chris Maher’s Olson 34, KEAKA, started on Monday, July 15th, but had to turn back two days later due to rudder issues. Skipper Chris Maher decided to retire out of an abundance of caution, docking safely in Ventura. They were entered in the Goslings PHRF 2 Division.

Chris Maher’s Olson 34, KEAKA, at the 2024 Pacific Cup Monday start. Photo © Irina Potekhina - White Raven Media.
Chris Maher’s Olson 34, KEAKA, at the 2024 Pacific Cup Monday start. Photo © Irina Potekhina – White Raven Media.

A Steady Progress to Kaneohe

Overall, the fleet is steadily making its way to Kaneohe, now experiencing near-classic wind conditions. All three starting groups have mostly caught up to each other and remain fairly tightly grouped, with frequent sightings of one another reported. With even wind across most of the race course, competitors have the flexibility to choose whether to sail the rhumb line or attempt to leverage an alternative strategy. The earliest finishers are expected by Friday, July 26th.

YB 2024 Pacific Cup Tracker as of July 24, 2024 12:00 PDT.
YB 2024 Pacific Cup Tracker as of July 24, 2024 12:00 PDT.

Wishing all UK Sailmakers customers a fantastic Pacific Cup! As competitors navigate their way to Kaneohe Bay, we hope for a safe passage and fair winds to all participants. Race tracker available here.

Heather Mahady
Heather Mahady

Heather Mahady is the General Manager of UK Sailmakers International. She is based on Vancouver Island in the Pacific Northwest, and is a passionate sailboat racer, sailmaker, and sustainability advocate.

Articles: 54

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