Seventy Boats for Pacific Cup Yacht Race

Pt. Richmond, CA (April 4, 2016) – With only 14 weeks to go to the first start, the 19th Pacific Cup Yacht Race is on schedule to include 70 boats, making it the largest Pacific Cup in over ten years. Racing begins the week of July 11 off St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco and finishes in Kaneohe Bay on the Hawaiian Island of Oahu.

Race organizers are currently clearing a sizable wait list comprised of boats that entered after the 70-boat limit was reached.

Boat inspections top the priority list for Pacific Cup competitors and organizers in the coming weeks. Unlike some races with many boats racing with professional crew and a qualification process based on previous results, or qualifying events, the Pacific Cup actively welcomes boats making their first ocean passage.

In 2016, just over half the boats will be competing in their first Pacific Cup. To maximize crew safety during the race, Pacific Cup Yacht Club (PCYC) requires pre-race boat inspections that look at factors such as boat equipment, safety and emergency gear, as well as food and water provisioning and communication capabilities.

For both skippers and crew, the Pacific Cup experience begins a year before the race with the Alaska Airlines Pacific Offshore Academy and Safety at Sea seminars. The presentation materials from the 2016 race seminars are included in the Pacific Cup website’s extensive Knowledge Base.

New in 2016 was a special seminar on medical preparation, which included presentations by leading marine medical experts on how to avoid, prepare for and respond to medical emergencies while offshore. While 24/7 remote medical consultations will be available during the race from GW Medical Associates Maritime Medical Access service, being prepared for potential problems is a critical component of a fun and successful crossing.

“For years the Pacific Cup has been known as ‘the FUN race to Hawaii’,” says PCYC Commodore Gary Troxel. “We’ve found the best way to ensure everyone has a great time is by helping skippers and crew maximize safety through education and planning. Whether sailors are new to ocean racing or are previous Pacific Cup trophy winners, there is always a lot to learn, and we’re here to help.”

For more information, visit www.pacificcup.org