16 more Pacific Cup racers hit one week mark Divisions led by Checkered Past and Sweet Okole

Kathleen Helsper
July 22, 2008 – SAN FRANCISCO – Steadily gaining on the fleet, Raindrop (Portland, Ore.) has pushed into first place overall, recalling Skip Allen's double-handed victory aboard Wildflower in 2002. Employing a similar strategy of a sharp southern starting course, combined with superior boathandling, Easton and Huseby on Raindrop are now the ones to beat.

With some superbly well-equipped and crewed boats chasing them from a more favorable Saturday start – more wind always being good – Raindrop will have quite a job holding on to her #1 spot. Following close in second and third place are Dean Daniels’ Sleeping Dragon (San Francisco) and Paul Cayard’s Hula Girl (San Francisco).

July 15th Start Divisional Standings (in order per July 22 standings)

Half the boats are, or will today be, halfway to Hawaii, 1035 miles from San Francisco, 1035 miles from Hawaii. People watching the race can continue to check updated official standings at www.PacificCup.org, which also has links to time-delayed satellite reports.

The Pacific Cup: Started in 1980, the Pacific Cup race has attracted sailors of all stripes, from the hard-core ocean racer to the family ready and prepared for a true adventure. Roy Disney, Stan Honey, Philippe Kahn, and other luminaries in the sport have taken home Pacific Cup trophies, as have many family enterprises. The 2008 race will be one of the most heavily-attended in recent years, with 61 entries from 24 to 73 feet competing for a range of trophies including the Pacific Cup itself for best corrected time over the 2070-mile course.

Pacific Cup Yacht Club (PCYC) was established in 1979 to run the biennial Pacific Cup. PCYC's mission is to realize the dreams of 70 or more yachts full of sailors, in a competitive, safe, and fun race from San Francisco to Hawaii. As such, its pre-race seminars are not only qualifying events for Pacific Cup participation but a way to introduce and encourage participation in offshore sailing. Visit the official site at www.PacificCup.org

About the Storm Trysail Club - The Storm Trysail Club (STC), reflecting in its name the sail which must be shortened when facing adverse conditions, is one of the world's most respected sailing clubs, with its membership comprised strictly of skilled blue water and ocean racing sailors. In addition to holding various prestigious offshore racing events (including the Fort Lauderdale to Key West Race, Block Island Race Week presented by Rolex and Block Island Race), STC also hosts the Intercollegiate Offshore Regatta and annual junior safety-at-sea seminars. It also has developed, in cooperation with the Transpacific Yacht Club, the Storm Trysail Transpac 65 and the Box Rule that will govern its design. Additional information is available at www.stormtrysail.org.