14th Biennial
West Marine Pacific Cup
LIGHTNING MAINTAINS FLEET LEAD IN THE WEST MARINE PACIFIC CUP, SAN FRANCISCO-KANEOHE RACE
July 11, 2006
Honolulu -- Thomas Akin's Santa Cruz 52, Lightning, is holding the lead of both the entire fleet along with the downwind "big" boats in Division E of, the 14th Biennial West Marine Pacific Cup.
In the other classes, The Contessa, a Swede 55, has moved into the lead of the doublehanded division. Flying the burgees of both Saint Francis and Encino Yacht Club, The Contessa is being operated by Neil Weinberg and Shawn Throwe. Plus Sixteen is second followed by Slim.
The Cal 40, California Girl continues to lead the Division A yachts while Hooligan and Green Buffalo are second and third.
Cirrus, the Kaneohe Yacht Club entry, despite broken boom and ripped spinnaker is managing to stay in fourth position.
In Division B, Tutto Bene, the Vetter family racer from Vallejo Yacht Club is leading with Locomotion and Irish Lady second and third.
ET, with the husband/wife team of Todd Hedin and Elizabeth Baylis is holding on to the lead in Division C. Second is Sweet Okole, another of the many family boats with Dean and Elizabeth Treadway out of Richmond Yacht Club. Auspice is third in the division.
Another family racer is Sapphire, now leading Division D. The Rasmussen's Synergy 1000 moved up in the division from second.
Recidivist, a Schumaker 39 out of Sequoia Yacht Club has moved into second place and Mureadritta'sXL is third.
Lightning put in a 225 mile run to keep the lead in both fleet and Division E. Elyxer, the Ely family Santa Cruz 52 is second and Kyrnos, the Lafitte family's Custom 56 foot racer out of Seattle Yacht Club is third.
One boat will take the Million Mile Trophy sometime tomorrow. The West Marine Pacific Cup will have clocked a million miles of sailing by Wednesday. Contenders for the trophy are ET, Lightning, Basic Instinct, Orizaba, Sapphire, Synge and The Contessa.
Competitors are hitting the halfway-to-Kaneohe mark with celebratory meals and beverages. While dealing with the challenges of crossing a big pond en route to Kaneohe.
Communications boat, Cayenne polled the fleet last evening as to what the crews were smacking on. Response included Red Vines, Chocolate, Red Bull, Coffee, Chocolate covered Espresso Beans and Chocolate Chip Cookies. Sugar highs dominate.
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Contact: Ray Sweeney
(808) 533-0033
(808) 382-0735 (cell)