Not all Aloha for Transpac Race

(July 8, 2013) – With the first of three staggered starts planned on Monday for the 2225nm Transpac Race, the news was not all aloha for the organizers.

Among the entries scheduled to start today was the Tripp 40 B’Quest, a doublehanded entry sailed by disabled veterans David Hopkins and Urban Miyares. Hopkins, who is hearing impaired, and Miyares, who is blind, are representing Challenged America, a non-profit program in San Diego which uses sailing as a therapeutic activity for individuals with disabilities.

However, race organizers denied the team’s entry on Sunday, July 7 (click here to read the letter and reasons). Here is the official event statement:

“The Transpacific YC regrets that the entry for the yacht B’Quest – Challenged America in Division 7 has been withdrawn by the TPYC Board for non-compliance with entry requirements for this race.

“Specifically, B’Quest – Challenged America failed to meet a June 23rd deadline for not completing the required safety inspection procedure, nor asked for any extension to that deadline.

“As late as yesterday, July 7th, one day prior to the start of Division 7, B’Quest – Challenged America had still not complied with these rules. The owner of the yacht was therefore informed in writing of the decision yesterday, in accordance with Rule 76.1 of the Racing Rules of Sailing.

“We take safety rules very seriously,” said Dave Cort, Commodore of Transpacific YC. “We feel this yacht has been given every opportunity to work with us to meet the requirements of this race, and they simply have not complied. We regret having to make this decision, we really wanted to have them in this race.”

As stated in the Notice of Race, “The race is open to monohull and multihull yachts that meet the requirements of the 2012-2013 International Sailing Federation Special Regulations Governing Offshore and Oceanic Racing including US Sailing Prescriptions for Category 1 events. As a Category 1 event yachts must be completely self-sufficient for extended periods of time, capable of withstanding heavy storms and prepared to meet serious emergencies without the expectation of outside assistance.”

Despite their entry being revoked, the B’Quest team started the race today, and intends to file protest upon their finish. In accordance with Rule 76.1, a boat whose entry has been rejected “may request redress if she considers that the rejection or exclusion is improper.”

Here is a statement from the B’Quest team.
Race update from Monday.
Race website: http://www.transpacyc.com