Pacific Cup celebrates 44 years of thrilling offshore racing from California to Hawaii

The Pacific Cup, the Fun Race to Hawaii © Pacific Cup Yacht Club

The Pacific Cup, known as the Fun Race to Hawaii, runs every even year. First organized in 1980, the race attracts 50 to 70 boats and 300-400 sailors to its preparation seminars, events, and finally, a 2070 mile voyage across the Pacific Ocean to Kaneohe Yacht Club on the island of Oahu.

This year, over 60 competitors from all over the world will join the race from St. Francis Yacht Club in San Francisco to Hawaii. This is an epic journey, a true bucket list event for both experienced sailors and those new to ocean racing.

Mark your calendars: The Fun Race to Hawaii starts this week

Want to join the fun? Come watch the starts from Crissy Field near St. Francis Yacht Club for the starts!

Monday, July 15, 2024 will be a big day for Pac Cup 2024 edition. In addition to starting the less speedy boats, all double handed teams will set out. The weather on the starting day often has a profound impact on finish order, so starting the double-handers all the same day lets us have the most even competition.

"It's a bit of a balancing act," explained Principal Race Officer Michael Moradzadeh. "On the one hand, we want the boats to finish around the same day. But on the other hand, if they all start the same day, at least they have start-day weather in common." Start times are set from 10:30 to around noon to take advantage of ebbing tide and building breeze.

Starting dates and division assignments announced

Monday, July 15

Slower Performance Handicap Racing Fleet (PHRF 1) boats, PHRF 2 division, and all Double-handed boats start Monday. The double-handed fleets have long been treasured by the Pac Cup, and their number grows every year with 17 racing in 2024. The PHRF divisions starting Monday will be very competitive, including many race veterans.

Wednesday, July 17

On Wednesday, the faster PHRF 3 division will start. These tend to be the lighter, faster boats in the PHRF fleet. They'll be followed by the PHRF 4 division, a group of heavy (non-surfing) but performance-oriented boats in the 40-50 foot range. Joining them will be the two Multihull boats. Wednesday will also see the start of six ORR-rated boats.

Thursday, July 18

The last six boats in the Offshore Racing Rule 2 division, start on Thursday. These are the fastest rated boats in the fleet and can expect to overtake many of the earlier starters somewhere in the middle of the Pacific.

Join us as we embark on the 21st edition of offshore ocean racing history, celebrating the spirit of adventure and camaraderie led by the dedicated volunteers at Kaneohe Yacht Club, Richmond Yacht Club, Pacific Cup Yacht Club, and countless others.

For more information, visit pacificcup.org.