For Immediate Release:
Pt. Richmond, CA, April 4, 2016 – With only 14 weeks to go to the first start, the Pacific Cup Yacht Club (PCYC) announced today that the 19th Pacific Cup Yacht Race is on schedule to include 70 boats, making it the largest Pacific Cup in over ten years. Racing begins the week of July 11 off St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco and finishes in Kaneohe Bay on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu. PCYC organizers are currently clearing a sizable wait list comprised of boats that entered after the 70-boat limit was reached.
Boat inspections top the priority list for Pacific Cup competitors and organizers in the coming weeks. Unlike some races with many boats racing with professional crew and a qualification process based on previous results, or qualifying events, the Pacific Cup actively welcomes boats making their first ocean passage. In 2016, just over half the boats will be competing in their first Pacific Cup. To maximize crew safety during the race, PCYC requires pre-race boat inspections that look at factors such as boat equipment, safety and emergency gear, as well as food and water provisioning and communication capabilities.
For both skippers and crew, the Pacific Cup experience begins a year before the race with the Alaska Airlines Pacific Offshore Academy and Safety at Sea seminars. The presentation materials from the 2016 race seminars are included in the Pacific Cup website's extensive Knowledge Base. New in 2016 was a special seminar on medical preparation, which included presentations by leading marine medical experts on how to avoid, prepare for and respond to medical emergencies while offshore. While 24/7 remote medical consultations will be available during the race from GW Medical Associates Maritime Medical Access service, being prepared for potential problems is a critical component of a fun and successful crossing.
“For years the Pacific Cup has been known as ‘the FUN race to Hawaii”, says PCYC Commodore Gary Troxel. “We’ve found the best way to ensure everyone has a great time is by helping skippers and crew maximize safety through education and planning. Whether sailors are new to ocean racing or are previous Pacific Cup trophy winners, there is always a lot to learn, and we're here to help.”
Party Planning
For racers and their friends and family, the Pacific Cup social activities are a key component of the race. Tickets to pre-race events at Richmond Yacht Club’s Pacific Cup Village and finish line celebrations at Kaneohe Yacht Club will go on sale later this month. For more information, visit www.pacificcup.org.
Pacific Cup Yacht Race - Media Opportunities
| July 2 - 11 | Pacific Cup Village | Richmond Yacht Club |
| Find out more about the Pacific Cup Yacht race with special guest speakers including Stan Honey, Scott Easom, and Kame Richards, entertainment, and pre-race camaraderie among locals and out-of-towners docking at RYC. Tickets to the popular parties hosted by Richmond Yacht Club will go on sale in mid-April. | ||
| July 11 - 15 | Race Starts | In front of St. Francis Yacht Club |
| Staggered starts begin with the slowest rated Cruising Division on July 11, continuing with the fastest rated boats throughout the week. Racing will be visible from the StFYC Race Deck, Marina Green, Crissy Field, Golden Gate Bridge and on the water. | ||
| July 29 | Pacific Cup Yacht Club Awards Night | Kaneohe Yacht Club |
| In addition to division and one-design prizes, trophies honor a variety of accomplishments such as seamanship, navigation and team performance. | ||
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For more information, please contact:
PCYC
Elisa Williams
(510) 215-1069
media@pacificcup.org
About PCYC
The Pacific Cup Yacht Club is responsible for organizing the biennial Pacific Cup, dubbed the "FUN race to Hawaii." Since 1980, the Pacific Cup has been sailed from San Francisco Bay to Hawaii every other year, and since 1988 the finish has been at the warm and welcoming Kaneohe Yacht Club on the island of Oahu. With an emphasis on pre-race preparation for the 2070-mile race, PCYC’s volunteer membership has helped to ensure that thousands of racers have been delighted with their Pacific Cup experience. For more information about the Pacific Cup, visit http://dev.paccup.org, and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.