14th Biennial
West Marine Pacific Cup
ELYXIR TAKES THE FLEET LEAD IN THE WEST MARINE PACIFIC CUP -- DOWNIND RACERS IN TOP THREE
July 9, 2006
Honolulu --Elyxir, a Santa Cruz 52 downwind racer moved into the lead of the West Marine Pacific Cup as four of the "big" boats in Division E, carve through the rest of the fleet for the overall lead.
The Doublehanded class is now led by Slim, with Lorne and Mark Millner aboard. Second is Plus Sixteen with Pul Disaro and Tony Porche. Third place in doublehanders is Spirit with Ann Lewis and her son Patrick.
The Lessley family's Cal 40, California Girl, continues the lead of Division A with Hooligan second and Cirrus third. Cirrus suffered a broken boom -- more on that at the end of the standings.
The Vetter's Tutto Bene has moved into the lead of Division B, swapping positions with Locomotion, yesterday's division leader. The Mahony family's, Irish Lady is third.
ET, who should have been reported as leading in yesterday's roll call continues to lead Division C. The Antrim 27 is co-skippered by the husband and wife team of Elizabeth Baylis and Todd Hedin while flying the San Francisco Yacht Club burgee. Second is Auspice, also from San Francisco yacht Club, Basic Instinct from Corinthian yacht Club is third.
Riva who lost her fleet lead to the quicker Division E yachts, continues with the lead in Division D. Orizaba is second and Mike Amialt's Synge, a Synergy 1000 from Shilshole Bay Yacht Club in Washington has moved up to third. The Lemaster twins, Darren and Braden are part of the crew. They are both generally addressed with their rank as "Major LeMaster. Both Major LeMasters are on leave from Iraq for the race, with thanks to the US Army.
As noted at the beginning of this report is Elyxir now in the fleet and Division E, lead. Skp Ely's Santa Cruz 52 is representing Santa Cruz Yacht Club. Second overall and in fleet is Thomss Akin's Lightning, another Santa Cruz 52 and flies the San Francisco Yacht Club burgee. Cipango, who led the fleet yesterday is now scored as third with three members of the Barton family aboard; Rob, Bob and Teddy.
Hearing strange sounds at around midnight is not all that unusual when on dry land but on the water, nearly halfway to Kaneohe hearing a loud "BANG!" really gets your attention. The Cirrus crew, "all hands on deck" call probably wasn't necessary but hey scrambled out to see and solve the problem. The problem was a busted boom. Bill Myers' Kaneohe Yacht Club Standfast 40 stood fast very well at the hands of her crew and nobody was hurt. Repairs made they are operating on the spinnaker at some 7+ knots. Myers has informed their Division A competitors that operating on spinnaker alone appears to be the most efficient manner in which one should proceed for Kaneohe, with virtually no hope of anyone buying it.
Cirrus also had a moment a couple of nights back when a large ship loomed ahead and collision course seemed possible. After doing as much as they could to get the ship's attention they finally connected but the crisis was averted. It was the third ship of four that they'd seen up close. Maybe a shipping lane is not the best course to Kaneohe?
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Contact: Ray Sweeney
(808) 533-0033
(808) 382-0735 (cell)