Comanche first monohull to finish in Transpac 50
by Transpacific Yacht Club 19 Jul 14:35 BST
10-25 July 2019
Comanchefinal approach through the Molokai Channel during sunset. - Transpac 50 © Sharon Green / Ultimate Sailing
After the same slow start that plagued all Saturday starters this year in the 50th edition of the LA-Honolulu Transpac, Jim Cooney and Samantha Grant's VPLP 100 Comanche still managed to sneak out of the light air, get into the offshore breeze, and sail on to be first to finish in Honolulu at 21:14:05 Hawaii time. For being the first monohull to cross the finish line at Diamond Head, the Comanche team will win the coveted First to Finish carved slab of Hawaiian Koa wood known as the Barn Door Trophy. From 2009-2017 this award was given only to yachts with no powered systems, but was re-dedicated this year for monohull yachts of all sizes and types.
"This is a fantastic feeling to be here in Hawaii on this great yacht," said Cooney on finishing his first Transpac. "Four months ago we committed to this race when the rig came out of the boat in Australia to ship to California, and we've been working hard to make this happen ever since."
Navigator Stan Honey has been on many Barn Door-winning boats, and says the award is appropriate to represent the boat that is not only fast but also uses the latest in technology to achieve performance.
"The winners of the Barn Door Trophy represent the progress of technology in the history of offshore sailing," said Honey. "Like Dorade, Storm Vogel, Windward Passage and Merlin, Comanche very much deserves to be part of this history."
While not matching her record time set in 2017 of 5 days 01:55:26, her time of 5 days 11:14:05 this year was still good for an impressive VMG of nearly 17 knots on the course.
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For more information on Transpac 50 and its history, events and sponsors, visit the main website at 2019.transpacyc.com