11th Biennial West Marine Pacific Cup
LA DIANA STILL LEADS SAN FRANCISCO-KANEOHE, WEST MARINE PACIFIC CUP BY 216 MILES
For Immediate
Release: Sunday, July 16, 2000
Kaneohe, HI -- La Diana still covers the West Marine Pacific Cup fleet
by 216 miles but faces competition from the biggest and fastest California
yachts who are clicking off nearly 230 daily miles despite soft winds in
their area. The early lead for La Diana will hold for several days and hopes
for the Doublehanded 1 entry to arrive first at Kaneohe Bay will require that
she return to the 175 mile days, run earlier in the race. History has shown
that the 70 foot yachts make up considerable time when they are within a few
days of Hawaii.. The doulblehanded Division 2 leader continues to be 39 foot
Punk Dolphin by 4 miles over 34.5 foot Oeno. In fully crewed divisions,
Diminished Capacity has moved ahead four places over yesterday’s leader
Halcyon, Division B sees veteran Pacific Cup competitor Alienate moving past
Red Sky for the class lead. Elan has repassed Soldini by three miles to
cover the Division C yachts, Bodacious continues to lead Division D and is
second in the fleet en route to Hawaii. Osprey has stretched a ten mile lead
over second place Cha-Ching in division E. The Santa Cruz 50 dominated
Division E is experiencing lead changes as Walter Pressel’s Lina has passed
1998 winner Bob Nance’s White Caps by over a dozen miles while becoming the
fleet leader on handicap. Division G, Santa Cruz 52s still are led by
Kokopelli2 while the big guys, 70 footers are led by Taxi Dancer on handicap
in Division H.
Hawaii entry, Pali-Uli is fifth in Doublehanded 2 while Kaneohe-based
Heat Wave is tied for second in Division C. Pegasus, an Andrews 70, listed
as a Hawaii entry has consistently sailed the best travel days of the race
putting in 229.7 miles over the last 24 hours.
A look at the Position Report for the day indicates that Goliard has
withdrawn. In that Goliard is has been functioning in a dual role of
competitor in division B as well as providing the communication to these
Hawaiian shores from whence we disseminate stuff, we felt a momentary drat.
There was no other communication from what is known as the “communication”
boat so we surmise that the telecommunications domination of commerce in the
Bay Area probably has outweighed raw trophy lust.
Indeed they had noted that they were enjoying watching other yachts pass them
by whilst reveling in morning hot showers along with cocktail hour martinis
replete with brie-stuffed martinis which gave rise to the thought that
Goliard’s mission had been refocused. If we are correct there will be a
report tomorrow. If we are not correct we are communcatively screwed and
will go to the well worn Hawaii and Maine technique of scanning the horizon
for the first arrivals.
And we had suggested that corresponding with cheframon@aol.com would help
with suggestions or significant input. Well we certainly had some from
Elizabeth Sandford who hoped we could reach the Kiwis on Andiamo and Kiwi
Coyote with the score of the Blidiloe Cup/Tri Nations match where the All
Blacks whacked the Aussies 39-35. Elizabeth further points out that it was
considered the greatest game "for a long time" and the Kiwis won it in the
dying minutes. Well! We are indeed blessed and thank you for sharing. With
question of the efficacy of the communications vessel we will all hang on to
that thought until such time that the two boats arrive unless someone wants
to entertain flying fishes and squid with ecstatic NZ sailors upon hearing
the wonderful news.
SWEENEY COMMUNICATIONS
NEWS RELEASE -- West Marine Pacific Cup
Contact: Ray Sweeney
(808) - 533-0033
Cheframon@aol.com
# # #
