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| 2017 Trans Pac Day Time Finish Aboard Horizon |
By LEN BOSE
This July 10,12 and 13 will be the bi-annual Transpac race from San Pedro, Calif. to Honolulu, Hawaii. I understand the start is just under 50 days away, yet it keeps me awake at night, and as you can tell, it’s on the top of my list...hence the topic of my column this week.
The Transpac race is run on odd-numbered years with this year marking the 50th anniversary of the race, coincidentally the race has 100 entries this year. Of those entries, 13 will be sailing from Newport Beach...that’s not a good number. Anyway, I would like to introduce our local competitors and reveal some insight into the local programs.
Hailing from the Balboa Yacht Club is Dan Gribble aboard his Tripp 56 Brigadoon, starting on July 10 in Division 6. The team has been working hard in preparation for the race by participating in this year’s Islands, Cabo Race and upcoming California 300. The crew roster has not been listed yet, but I will assume most of the crew has been on the boat in the previous races. The team is strong with some youth and experienced local sailors. The largest hurdle for this team is the boat’s rating: Brigadoon is not optimized for racing and leans heavily toward cruising.
Speaking of youth, from too many yacht clubs to list, is the Red Star Sailing Team sailing aboard the Columbia 32 Weegie. Skipper Charlie Welsh is competing with six crew members, including himself, all under the age of 25. There are some well-known family names on the roster and they are still within one of the unsaid rules of ocean racing, “Never go out to sea on a boat that is less than your age.” The crew has been practicing regularly, but the largest hurdle is experience and boat preparation. The crew roster includes Chandler Hill, Julia Lines, Michael Sabourin, Kate Shaner and Sam Wright.
J 44 Patriot is owned by Paul Stemler and sailing out of NHYC. No crew is listed yet, although I have seen the team out practicing, and they have already completed their safety inspection. These are indications of a well-organized team on a boat that sails to her rating very easily. Patriot will be sailing in Division 7 and starting on July 10. Her biggest hurdle will be Chubasco or better known around town as “Chubby” the S&S 67. I feel Patriot can take the top spot, but they will have to bring their “A” game.
North Wind 47 Traveler skipper Michael Lawler is sailing in Division 9 and starting on July 10. The crew roster includes Barbara Lawler, Mark Dorius, Fraser McLellan and navigator Jim Palmer. Traveler will be sailing for the Corsair Yacht Club.
Cal 40 Nalu V skippered by Mark Ashmore, is sailing out of the South Shore Yacht Club. I have noticed the boat appearance improving over the last year on her mooring in front of Balboa Island. It appears to be a family endeavor in a very tough class of 7 Cal 40s.
Cal 40 Callisto will be sailed by the Eddy family with a long history of Transpac races. Callisto is berthed in front of the LAYC and jumps at you from over 100 yards away as one of the cleanest boats in the fleet. She is well prepared and has a solid crew. The biggest hurdle will be the Cal 40 Viva. This will be one of many fun divisions to watch on the race tracker.
John Raymont’s Andrews 40 Fast Exit sailing for the Balboa Yacht Club in Division 3 has shown some exceptional speed and consistent finishes this season. They will be competing in the upcoming California 300 and are expected to finish on the podium again. In the Transpac, their biggest hurdle will be the planning boats such as the four J 125’s, a foiling Beneteau 3, Rodgers 46 along with a very well-sailed Andrews 56. Odds are very strong that the overall winner could come from this division. The crew roster is comprised of Alan Andrews, Richard Johnstone, Stephen Mader, Zack Maxam, Taylor Mullin and Shane Vowels.
The Santa Cruz 50 Horizon skippered by John Shulze is sailing out of the Balboa Yacht Club in Division 4 with 10 other Santa Cruz 52/50’s. The team is a little off the pace by not staying active, only competing in this season’s Islands and Cabo race. The laundry list is long and still growing as I stay awake between 2-5 a.m. each night wondering how we are going to pull out another division win. We will be ready and not even close to letting anyone else on our spot on the podium. Horizon’s biggest hurdle is a strong one-design class along with the Santa Cruz 52’s Lucky Duck and Triumph. The crew roster is Len Bose, Ben Amen, Craig Chamberlain, Kat & Andy Dippel, Roland Fournier, Kelsey Tostenson and navigator, Evelyn Hull.
Steve Sellinger’s Santa Cruz 52 Triumph is sailing out of NHYC. The boat has shown exceptional boat speed this season and is ready for the race. They will be competing in the upcoming California 300 and that result will be a good indicator for Transpac. The crew is yet to be listed, although I know who is on the boat and they will be tough.
The TP 52 Destroyer is owned and skippered by Jim Bailey sailing out of the NHYC. I truly envy Bailey sailing with his two sons and a very strong crew. The boat has sailed in every event this season and is ready. The biggest hurdle is just that, the world’s biggest, fastest boat is in this division, and if they place, that would be something to be very proud of. Destroyer will be going up against the likes of the 100’ Comanche, the R/P 66 Alive and a long list of boats I have never seen the likes of.
Team Bolt is sailing the N/M 70 Bolt out of the Balboa Yacht Club. This is not the first Transpac for the Reynolds family, although the boat is new to them and they have entered a very strong class, such as the likes of Pyewacket, Grand Illusion and Taxi Dancer. Team Bolt does have a chance at the podium, but the nine other well sailed 70’s are not just going to round down for them.
The SC 70 Grand Illusion is owned by Dave Clark and crewed by some of NHYC’s best. The boat roster is John Aschiers, Brian Bissell, Mike Blunt, Brooks Clark, John Fuller, Nick Madigan, Buddy Richley and navigator, Patrick O’Brien. This team can very easily pull the big pickle dish above their heads at the awards presentation.
Sea ya and Alohaaaaa!
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Len Bose is a yachting enthusiast, yacht broker and harbor columnist for
Stu News Newport.
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