J's Racing Pacific Cup

(San Francisco-Oahu- July 5th)- Distance racing West Coast style means either going north-south up and down the California, Oregon and Washington coasts or going east-west from those states to that beautiful island chain known as the Hawaiian Islands.  Every area has its classic distance race: On the east coast of America, the storied Newport-Bermuda commands the loftiest perch of all American offshore races; England has its Rolex Fastnet Race; the Med has the Rolex Middle Sea or Giraglia Cup races; Australia its Rolex Sydney-Hobart Race; but on the West Coast there are offshore racing traditions as well. Being shy of an island that's "only" 635 nautical miles offshore, left-coast sailors have to race a bit further, but when the destination is Hawaii, it's hard to complain.

As far as Hawaiian races go, the biennial Transpacific Yacht Race (held on odd years) may be the most prestigious, but two other races, each held on even years, also vie for participants- the Pacific Cup (from San Francisco) and the Vic-Maui Race (from Victoria, BC).  The 2,070 nautical mile Pacific Cup (San Francisco to Hawaii) draws boats that are based up north, or that are interested in a friendlier, fun-focused race.  The Pacific Cup started on July 5 from San Francisco's St. Francis Yacht Club, and while these sailors historically take less of an upwind drubbing, they too are no doubt preparing for a few days of serious upwind sailing.  But once the kites come on deck, the party starts--- it immediately becomes obvious why west coast sailors enjoy prolonged surfing and planing for days on end.

Sailing in this year's Pacific Cup are Shawn Ivie's J/30 FRICTION LOSS (currently in 1st), Jim Brainerd's J/35c BRAINWAVES, Sean Mulvihill's J/120 JAMANI, Scott Campbell's J/46 RIVA, Scott Dickinson's J/42 TIKI J, and John Macphail's J/160 JAM (the team pictured here). We wish them fair winds and fair weather.  Follow them on the tracking page at the event site.    For more Pacific Cup sailing and tracking info.  Photo credit- Erik Simonson- pressure-drop.us