News

The 20th edition of the Pacific Cup is nearly 24 hours old and the cream is beginning to rise to the top in each of the respective divisions. History continues to be made as Charles Devanneaux and co-skipper Matthieu Damerval have surged to the front of the fleet to take an early Line Honors lead. Just behind their revolutionary Beneteau Figaro 3 A Fond le Girafon, Emmanuel Sauquet’s Hanse 505 Outremer is engaged in a close battle with sistership Anais. All three boats are sailing at close to 10 knots and blazing a fast path to Hawaii. Should the forecasts prove to be correct and the Monday

Stiff winds, reported by weather authorities as sustained in the high 20s on the beam (from the side of the boat) made for a demanding first night for the 29 original starters. Race veterans compare last night's conditions to the 2002 and 2016 races which were marked by unusually stiff breezes.

The good news is that, as of this writing, the fleets are near the end of the rather rough stuff and are about to enter a zone of considerably more forgiving winds in the high teens.

Presently, A Fond Le Girafon is leading the fleet boat-for-boat. She's no doubt finding those foils that help with righting

4 starts and 29 boats got off the line today with the rest of the fleet to start Wednesday, Thursday and Friday

An optimistic fleet of 29 boats headed out under the gate late Monday morning under the watchful eyes of PRO John Siegel, start line chair Bobbi Tosse, and a host of volunteers. Pictures will follow.

Some of the starters were already sporting reduced sail ("a bit premature," muttered one race deck observer), but all were anticipating the forecast heavier winds to be found offshore.  A low-pressure trough passing through our area poses an interesting challenge for our early racers.

First, they must get away from the near shore so as to avoid the dreaded "glass off" -- the light air near shore

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