The official poster for Transpac 2001 is now available. It is free but limited to one per individual, and there is a limited supply.

The 27 x 39-inch display features the maxi-sled Pyewacket's record run of 7 days 11 hours 41 minutes 27 seconds for the 2,225-nautical mile passage from San Pedro to Honolulu.

An aerial view shows Pyewacket slashing through the Molokai Channel, under finishing photos of class winners Grand Illusion, the overall winner on corrected time; Gone With the Wind, Hurricane, Great Scot and Two Guys On the Edge.

Transpac Speed Rating Limit to Fit Existing Fleet

Transpacific YC directors are working with an ad hoc advisory committee of leading designers to determine an IMS based Transpac speed rating limit for 2001 that will be essentially equal to the first-to-finish contenders of the 1999 Race.

Commodore Sandy Martin said, "We're trying to keep the potential speeds of the first-to-finish boats as even as we can. The IMS handicap system is not perfect, and we're not going to make it perfect, but we can try to make the playing field reasonably level."

Additionally, recognizing that IMS still punitively rates asymmetrical spinnakers, Transpac 2001 intends to allow boats rated with symmetrical spinnakers to also fly equal-sized asymmetrical spinnakers without additional rating penalty.

Among other points being considered are a first-to-finish trophy for smaller boats and an age allowance for older boats.

Bill Lee, a board member who created the legendary Merlin and the Santa Cruz 70 class of sleds, said, "We want to keep the older boats coming, and they won't come unless they feel they can be competitive."

The board plans to have the new ratings in place by this fall.

Full Moon for 41st Race

The Transpacific YC board of directors has established the starting dates for the two fastest-rated classes in the 41st race in 2001: June 31 for Division 2 and July 1 for Division 1.

Those two classes started together in 1999. Starting dates for smaller boats, multihulls and the Cruising class will be determined as entries develop.

The best news is that within a few days of the latest starts the fleet will be sailing under a full moon -- an uncommon occurrence in recent Transpacs.

Race veteran Robbie Haines said, "When it's blowing hard and there are squalls and you can't see anything, it's scary. It makes the race more enjoyable to have a full moon."

Automatic Free TPYC Membership for Race Finishers

Any skipper or crew who completes the 2001 race will be granted a free provisional membership in the Transpacific Yacht Club through the end of the year.

The board of directors has eliminated the requirements for two letters of recommendation and membership in another yacht club.

The new members may attain full-fledged status later if they decide to pay regular dues.

Transpac a "Major" -- but You Alreadyt Knew That.

The Torresen Sailing Site web page, following the leads of golf and tennis, has compiled its own informal list of 16 "major" events, including the venerable Transpacific Yacht Race.

"These are the events that insiders and those not so aware of sailing focus on," the editors said.

The five offshore events: Transpac, Fastnet, Newport-Bermuda, Chicago-Mac and Sydney-Hobart.

The complete list is available at www.torresen.com.

Transpac Publicity:

Rich Roberts
Phone: (310) 835-2526
e-mail: richsail@earthlink.net