Pacific Cups New Cruising Division is Filling Fast

July 2014 the fun race to Hawaii

The San Francisco Bay Area is alive with sailing yachts and racing plans. Within two months of opening entries, the 2014 Pacific Cup race is filling fast with a third of the slots committed already for an event 16 months away-- proving the excitement is real. The real surprise is the popularity of the new Cruising Division for those who want to focus on the ocean and the fun, and compare menus and wine lists instead of daily runs. 9 of the initial 10 slots for this Division have been taken and the Board will consider increasing the size of the Division at the April meeting.

“It’s a great way to ease into ocean racing, said Commodore Steve Chamberlin. “For the first time since the race began more than 30 years ago, the new Cruising division is giving family and friends a helpful boost to enter the 2000 mile crossing to Kaneohe Bay. Cruisers start in good company with the rest of the racing fleet and meet the same training, equipment and inspection requirements as boats in the racing divisions. We expect to see most of these boats back in future years as competitors.”

“Returning racers are excited too. Opening up the racing community to new comers is good for the sport.”

Training and safety are clear priorities. The Cruisers will have to meet the same equipment, training, safety and inspection requirements as the racing division boats. The Pacific Cup offers four, half-day training sessions beginning as early as this coming May 19, 2013. Each session packs years of knowledge into meetings with experienced ocean racers. Between lectures, attendees are encouraged to engage with the speakers and ocean racers in-depth. The new teachings go beyond the seminars with an on-line Forum that lets sailors chat with knowledgeable race veterans. Pacific Cup seminars cover performance, comfort and safety complementing The US Sailing “Safety At Sea” seminars.

Both Cruisers and racers alike look forward to memorable launch festivities, an escorted landing and a warm aloha welcoming committee in Hawaii.

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