TransPac 2017 Sets New Records

Photo courtesy of Sharon Green, Ultimate Sailing

The every odd-numbered year race from California to Hawaii kicked off from Los Angeles and ended with parties in Honolulu with boats finishing from July 10th to the 19th. First to finish on July 10th was the ORMA 60  trimaran Mighty Merloe, setting a new TransPac race record of 4 days, 6 hours, 33 minutes and 30 seconds. 

TransPac 2017 was the 49th race in this classic series that began in 1906, making it the oldest running ocean yacht race in the world. The 2,225 nautical mile race from Los Angeles to Diamond Head buoy starts in Long Beach's Rainbow Harbor and ends with parties at Hawaii Yacht Club, Waikiki Yacht Club and Kane'ohe Yacht Club. 

This year there were 49 monohulls and 6 multi hull competitors from 8 countries. Although the first boats set records, most racers struggled with light air. Even so, racers eventually all made it to Ala Wai boat harbor, docks packed with boats and crew and the legendary welcoming parties, with friends and fans greeting with leis, mai tais and Aloha. 

For more information about the race and to find out how to join TransPac 2019, check out the TransPac website, with many more amazing photos from Sharon Green at Ultimate Sailing. Also, check out this great video summary of TransPac 2017 by TransPac Race.