Hawaii Race Prep Begins Now

For most folks, next summer is a long way off, but not for the hundreds of West Coast sailors who intend to race to Hawaii in the Pacific Cup or Vic-Maui. Preparation and planning are already well underway for entrants in both of these biennial races.

This Saturday, the Pacific Cup’s Alaska Airlines Pacific Offshore Academy continues at the Richmond YC (at noon) with a lineup of topics that includes: Electrical Systems; Sails; Optimization of Your Boat and Program; Inspection; and Options for Shipping Your Boat Home. Admission is $30; register here. Presentation materials can be previewed here.

This second event in the series will be preceded by a free Sailmail/GRIB seminar from 10 a.m. to noon. Topics will include Viewfax weather program for GRIBs; How to Receive Messages; Sailblogs by Radio; and "How to make people think you are still in the office." Register here. 

Also this Saturday, the Vic-Maui Preparation Seminar is offered to all race participants and their support staffs at the Royal Vancouver YC. A panel of experts will address a wide range of topics including: Rigging for Ocean Conditions; Safety Compliance; Emergency Steering; Weather, Navigation and Tactics; Crew Training and Experience; Sails and Sail Maintenance; Provisioning; Shore Crew & Logistics; Wireless Communications; and Medical / First Aid Considerations.

Early registration, here, is $80 per person; late registration is $100. Price includes lunch at the club.