Solo TransPac – Raiders of the Last Mark

Having been around for both ‘debuts’, we’re struck by the parallels of the 30th Annual Singlehanded TransPac Race to the return of Indiana Jones. Both feature great adventures spanning three decades, great characters, great settings, occasionally unbelievable plotlines, fresh new faces — and a number of returning stars, all of whom have, of course, aged most gracefully. One month from now (July 12), they all head out the Golden Gate for the kingdom of the crystal harbor: Hanalei Bay, Kauai — 2,120 miles away.

The 16th running of this biennial (every two years) event has attracted 23 solo sailors, the third largest fleet ever. Half are returning veterans, including 2006 overall winner Mark Deppe on his J/120 Alchera, and the grand old man of the event, Ken “This is My Last One” Roper. The General, as he is affectionately known — he retired from the Army as a Brigadier General — turns 79 this year, and this will be his 10th Solo TransPac. All have been sailed aboard his trusty Finn Flyer 31 Harrier.

The ‘last mark’ in this race is the finish line off Kauai’s spectacular Hanalei Bay. This and the surrounding area have been the site of many film shoots, including parts of a little 1981 flick called Raiders of the Lost Ark.

Goofy analogies aside, the Singlehanded TransPac, run by the Bay Area-based Singlehanded Sailing Society, is the epic West Coast event for singlehanded sailors. Look for profiles of participants in the July issue of Latitude, and complete coverage of the race in the August issue. In the meantime, check out the official race website at www.sfbaysss.org.