Sun and surf toward vacation island

The notable offshore races tend to be around 600 nm which are long enough to include sufficient strategy but don’t require too many night shifts. But for offshore races from California to Hawaii, where each day gets better, the longer distance isn’t bad either.

Sun and surfing the Pacific Ocean swell, with a tray of mai tais beyond the finish line, is good living.

The 53rd Transpac Race will carry the fleet 2,225 nm in 2025 from Los Angeles to Honolulu, with three staggered starts on July 15-18. In 2026, the 22nd edition of the Pacific Cup for the 2,070 nm course from San Francisco to Kaneohe gets underway earlier than usual on June 29. Here’s why:

Over that week, we’re looking forward to seeing up to 70 or so well-prepared boats leave the San Francisco Cityfront on an ebb tide and head out the Golden Gate Bridge. Most will run down the coast a bit before turning right, easing the sheets, hoisting their downwind sails and enjoying some spectacular sailing. Nights will be mostly moonless, offering a spectacular view of the starry sky without urban light that washes out most of the glorious detail.

We’re happy to be starting earlier than last race, as we expect this to be more convenient for many racers, particularly those with school schedules to consider. Historically, the earlier date is less likely to see storms that can affect the race course as well.

Expect arrivals at warm, welcoming Kaneohe Yacht Club starting around July 13 with celebrations and special meals, culminating in an awards ceremony Friday July 17.

The June 29 start date was selected based on a number of factors including availability of the finish line. We chose June 29 primarily, though, to take advantage of a favorable ebb tide at the anticipated mid-morning start in San Francisco Bay.

It’s important for boats to get through the gate and into a sustained wind pattern several dozen miles offshore before the near-coastal winds die off as the sun sets. An unfavorable tide, particularly in a light wind year, can leave many boats stalled and bobbing around all night, waiting for the offshore “synoptic” wind to pick up again.

The tradeoff, as suggested above, is that moonlight will be fairly limited, so we’ll be urging participants to hone their night driving skills! Regardless, “We’re looking to a great race in 2026,” says Pac Cup vet and Pacific Cup Yacht Club Commodore Bob Hinden. “From our start on the San Francisco Cityfront to the finish at Kaneohe Yacht Club, this is two thousand miles of sailing that can’t be beat.”

We expect a NOR to be published and entries to open in the Spring of 2025.

Details: https://pacificcup.org/