Rest of TransPac Fleet Gets Going

In 12 to 15 knots of breeze, the two remaining divisions — 1 and 2 — of TransPac boats got underway yesterday under blue skies off Pt. Fermin. Everything from the TP 52s to the ULDB 70s and Neville Crichton’s R/P 100 Alfa Romeo took advantage of the stronger pressure they’ve enjoyed — compared to the starters from both Thursday and the prior Sunday — to immediately vault into the top overall spots as of this morning’s position reports. Tom Akin’s Bay Area-based TP 52 Flash has jumped out to the lead in Division 1, while James McDowell’s SC 70 Grand Illusion has the Division 2 and overall lead in hand.

Divisions 3, 4 and 5, which started last Thursday, and Divisions 6 and 7, which started the previous Sunday, both had their westward progress stymied by a ridge of high pressure that sent the fleet southward. Chip Megeath’s Tiburon-based R/P 45 Criminal Mischief is one of the furthest-south boats and has moved from last to third in Divison 3 overnight. Division 6 leader, the 1D 35 Relentless, being doublehanded by Tim Fuller and Erik Shampain is the furthest south with a little under 1500 miles yet to go — at a lower latitude than La Paz! In the more northerly group, Bob Barton’s Bay Area-based Andrews 56 Cipango has lead Division 3 since the start. With a spread of nearly 300 miles north-south, there will doubtlessly be some big gains and losses — whether by better pressure or distance sailed — for Divisions 3 through 7 as the race progresses.