Wild Thing (left of center), a 1D35 sailed by Chris Busch of SanDiego, hits the line as a puff of smoke rises from the starting gun (left). At right nearest the pin is Francisco Guzman's J/145, Jeito, from Mexico City, to leeward of Scott Piper's J/160, Pipe Dream IX, from Florida.

Francisco Guzman of Mexico City drives his J/145, Jeito, past the pin end of the starting line in a well-aligned Transpac start Friday.

Australia's Krakatoa checks in with Philippe Kahn's Pegasus 77, which came out to scout conditions when Divisions 3 and 4 started Friday. Pegasus 77 will start with the Division 1 and 2 boats Sunday.

Celebrating the Independence Day start, Craig Reynolds' Olson 40, Bolt, from Balboa, Calif., flies Old Glory along with its battle flag.

The smallest boat among 57 entries in Transpac 2003 is The Cone of Silence, James Neill's Super 30 from Australia, shown a few minutes after Friday's start.