Divisions I and II yachts in the Los Angeles to Hawaii Transpacific Yacht Race started their 2,225 nautical mile voyage in an 12-15 knot breeze from the Southwest.
Cameramen in the helicopters hovering over the starting area and following the 17-boat fleet along the racecourse to see whether they would clear the west end of Catalina, were filming the Mylar sails, white decks and glistening hulls in nearly crystal clear conditions. As the race boats moved through the white capped seas they left a frothy wake behind.
The conditions for the final start of Transpac 09 were quite a contrast to those of the earlier fleets that have been out on the Pacific since June 29th and July 2nd. Those who have been heading toward Hawaii for nearly a week have covered barely a quarter of the route in the world’s most enduring and greatest ocean race. A standard Pacific high is …Â Details