Transpac Racers Back Into the Breeze for Home Stretch

2025 Transpac racers are crossing the halfway mark while also trying to navigate their way around the Pacific High. Greg Dorn of TP52 Favonius 2 wrote in with some comments from the course.

“Current conditions are 14 kts of breeze at 50 degrees of direction, sunny with temps in the mid-70s.

“The last 24 hours were defined by avoiding a high-pressure ridge that broke off from the Pacific High and moved through the race course. High pressure means no wind. Some boats went very low to skirt the danger zone while others worked around its margin seeking a shorter course, and some fell into the high-pressure system.”

“We elected to sail a shorter course and successfully skirted the high-pressure ridge. But to do so we jibed 14 times flawlessly at night, emerging in the morning in a new synoptic breeze and pointing toward the mark (Hawaii), which is now approximately 1500 miles away. The boat is ripping along nicely in mid-double digits of speed, thereby consuming distance easily.

“So after an unusually rough start followed by a demanding, light, technical section, we are now settled onto a starboard tack with an A2 spinnaker, spinnaker staysail and full main. The main is holding its repairs well. To get to this sail plan we performed a few peels with some very agile crew members venturing out onto the end of the bow prod to release sails and rearrange the tack lines. Top speeds have been around 20 kts with regular speeds in the teens. The boat thrives in these conditions.

“Along the way we have seen humpback whales, a turtle and a brown booby who was remarkably friendly — I was able to touch the bird as it sat on our windward starboard rail. Fortunately, the booby did not leave any gifts on deck once it decided to fly away.”

“Down below one is surrounded by the sound of rushing water against the thin carbon fiber hull. Although it’s warm down below, the white noise and lack of lighting make for decent sleeping at all times of day and night. So the crew is well rested and consuming plenty of calories and fluids to keep up with the work the boat requires. At this stage of the race we encourage the crew to bathe, but not all are compliant. so we are thankful for the effect of 15 to 20 kts of wind on body odor. Our diet so far has been composed of freeze-dried rations, oatmeal (pre-made by Jane Dorn and which everyone has loved), fruit, pre-packaged salads, protein bars and a plethora of random snacks.”

“There are still many miles left in the race, so we are doing our utmost to position ourselves for the best possible outcome.”

As the rest of the racers close in on Hawaii with steadier breezes, the passing lanes will get harder to find. Most boats have extracted themselves from the wayward Pacific High slowdown and are now in steadier breezes trying to find the fastest track downwind. Those that got south of the high pressure may have more distance to sail but enjoy hotter angles, while those that went north will have a shorter course but less apparent wind.

As of Tuesday evening, the 10 boats “wearing the crown” on the tracking chart by leading their divisions were:

● Boatswain’s Locker/Yanmar Division 1: Bryon Ehrhart, Lucky, Juan K 88
● Mount Gay Division 2: Thomas Akin, Meanie, TP52
● Whittier Trust Division 3: Dave Clark, Grand Illusion, Santa Cruz 70
● Cal Maritime Division 4: Rich Festa, Groundhog Day, Rogers 46
● Cabrillo Boat Shop Division 5: Dave Moore, Westerly, Santa Cruz 52.
● Garmin Division 6: Thomas Garnier, Reinrag2, J/125
● Suntex Division 7: Fred Courouble and Charles-Etienne Devanneaux, Rahan, Beneteau First 36
● Pasha Division 8: Barry Clark, Blackwing, Grand Soleil 44
● Bridger Insurance Division 9: Alli Bell, Restless, Cal 40
● smithREgroup Multihull Division 10: Don Wilson, Convexity2, GB 68

This year’s Transpac has 10 percent of the starting fleet commanded by women. “I’m really excited about the number of women skippers,” said Alli Bell, skipper and owner of the Cal 40 Restless. She also serves as Transpacific Yacht Club’s rear commodore and communications chair, as well as vice commodore of San Diego Yacht Club, and said this evolution of more women skippers happened organically. “We didn’t do anything specifically to attract more women— we just try to attract sailors.”

As noted above, Alli Bell and Restless are currently leading Class 9 and the race overall!

Right now the big boat, Lucky, is back up to 20 knots, while the Beneteau First 36 Rahan remains out front, surfing along at 10+ knots with less than 800 miles to go but big boats coming up from behind. The wind is filling in for everyone so it’s pedal to the metal at the best angle possible all the way to the Molokai Channel and Diamond Head.

Follow along to the home stretch.