Sea Sounds - Vol 2 Issue 3

THE VICE COMMODORE'S REPORT
Race
Transpac
Wendy Sarnoff
by
Facts: Trans Pacific Sailboat Race, from Los Angeles to Oahu, Hawaii. 10.5 days. Average
speed, 15 kts cir.2,600 nm. Vessel, Modified Farr 55, now Farr 58. Carbon Fiber Rig and standing
Rigging, Kauri Wood interior, cir. 30 tons, not including the manifest. Sails, #1, #3, Storm Jib, Storm
Trisail (main), 3 Masthead Aysm Kites, 3 fractional Kites (Spinnakers), 10 Crew. Watches; 4 hours
on, 6 hours off with rotating watches on the return. 14th to cross the line. 850 total racers, 26 of which were women.
Questions: Why sail Transpac? Why are you doing this? Are you excited, scared, worried, prepared, ready? Nine guys and
you’re the only woman? What about your health? What are you going to take with you, eat, wear? How will you….
I had no answers to these questions. Many crew members on “Amazing Grace” had done Transpac, I had not. Suffice to say, a
race and return of that dimension changes your perspective on sailing. I reflected prior to leaving, “more water”. It might seem
humorous, but it really is just more water, more wind, more waves, more watches and more boat.
The Race: The sunsets, the pitch dark sky, where the stars seem to close in on you, the moon shining like the sun, the water,
deep cerulean blue like I’ve never seen, the ungodly heat and daytime sun, inescapable, grueling. It is a set of experiences without
words. As we passed Diamondhead I cannot express the all-consuming sense of completion. The escort boat greeted us at the
finish, piping “Amazing Grace” at us as we passed Waikiki Yacht Club. The welcome at the slip in the middle of the night, smiles,
full glasses and leis was surreal. Their warmth was incredible! There is no thank you large enough for our reception!
Reality: The boat needs, because we had to make the return trip
home, 7 pages of notes, check lists, and more check lists, West
Marine, and West Marine again, and repairs. Re-provisioning,
cleaning and working in the oppressive heat. We tried leaving but
the ever present weather delayed us. The return trip home is all
about the weather, grib files, the "Pacific High”, and hurricane
season. It is easy to say our 10 day stay was not without its
challenges.
The Return: 2669 Nautical Miles and 5 crew members. We had 6
but lost 1 in the wait for hurricanes to pass. The trash for 700 miles,
containers, fenders, wrappers, it’s real! The “Pacific High”, just
motoring through heat and flat glass, nothing. A USGC radio call on
channel 16, from 280 miles out off San Luis Obispo, broke the
otherwise deafening silence. Then Channel Islands, where I learned to sail as a child, and we were home.
What I Learned: Training is essential! Train for all that you do not expect. Learn everyone else’s position. Study the weather, the
boat, the electronics, the systems and know where things are in the dark! Prove yourself, sometimes to you. Fresh water and ice
are a blessing. You need very little, but sometimes a little thing is a really big deal! Help others, without having to be asked. Adapt
because there's is no way off; you're committed! The sanctity of a smile can make all the difference.
I have a new word now, “gladder”. I’m glad I went, I’m gladder I’m back. The day of our return I went to Dinah’s restaurant and I
was served Ice water; in a glass! I craved Fried Chicken...oh, what we take for granted in all that we have! Then saw the movie
“Maiden”, met Tracy Edwards, visited the boat and I get it! Transpac, 26 women out of 850 people. 2 women received awards,
both were for navigation. How much has changed? There is still so much to do, to be.
I did a delivery to San Francisco 2 weeks ago. Point Conception was clear and flat. We only made it as far as Monterey, 30+
knots of wind on the nose 15+ foot seas. We had to pull in. After Transpac, it seemed like an energetic Catalina crossing. Do I still
love sailing, absolutely! However, in answer to those questions, my perspective on it has changed forever. For the good!
“With faith, honour and courage, anything is possible.” HM King Hussein I.
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