Race your bedroom to Hawaii

Race organizers had spent two years gearing up for the 21st edition of the Pacific Cup, that biennial 2070 nm course from San Francisco, CA to Kaneohe Bay, Oahu. More than 60 yachts, from tiny double handers to mega yachts, were ramping up for staggered starts from June 29 through July 3 in 2020.

Promoted as “The Fun Race to Hawaii,” the spread of COVID-19 changed all that, formally cancelling the event on April 7, with the next race to be held the week of July 4, 2022. Or so we thought.

Now, through the magic of the internet, the Pacific Ocean crossing is back on without the discomfort of saltwater butt, 14 day quarantine, and cost of return shipping.

With Mai Tai in hand, the 2020 Online Pacific Cup puts participants on a Santa Cruz 52 with SailOnline.org (SOL), which was the platform used for the 2020 Online Newport Bermuda Race, hosting the virtual adventure.

Back in the day, Bill Lee’s SC52 set new standards in ULDB (ultra-light displacement boat) luxury yacht design and was duly recognized as “Boat of the Year” in 1996 by Sailing World Magazine. Ever popular in real life, although no longer in-build at Santa Cruz boats, the SC52 has gone from strength to strength since its introduction on SOL.

No cost to register (click here) with the start on July 2 at Noon PDT.