July 11, 2014

The Great Hawaii Migration has begun with four separate races heading west to the Aloha State at the same time. The Great Pacific Rowing Race left Monterey headed for Honolulu on June 7, and the sweaty guys and gals are spread out to the south of the rhumb line about 600 miles to the finish. The SSS Singlehanded TransPac boats are moving nicely, with the leaders only about 160 miles from the finish at Hanalei Bay, Kauai. Al Germain on the Wyliecat 30 Bandicoot is in the lead overall but broke his boom, so a tight race is guaranteed for the last few days and the top pack has compressed in the trades.

Al Germain on Bandicoot at the start of the SSS Singlehanded TransPac. He hopes to finish this weekend. ©2014 norcalsailing.com

From the Northwest clan the Victoria to Maui race is underway, and the lead boats are working their way west and south with the Riptide 35 Longboard past the halfway mark 1,100 miles from Lahaina, Maui. Most of the Vic-Maui boats are diving south and racing the Pacific High as it moves south also.

The white shows an area of no wind predicted for the next few days. The SSS racers have made it through but the others won't. ©2014 University of Washington

In the Pacific Cup, conditions are slowing down for the latest starters and speeding up for the boats lucky enough to start earlier in the week. It's light wind frustration for the those just off the coast and fast reaching for those further down the track. But all that could change as light winds are predicted all along the course.

This is an ASCAT satellite chart of the real winds, not a prediction. The satellite looks at wave patterns to figure out what the winds are doing. Notice the ugly hole to the north and light upwind section just south. ©2014 NOAA STAR

It's the big year for those flying westward. Find out about each race at: www.vicmaui.org, www.pacificcup.org, www.greatpacificrace.com, and www.sfbaysss.org/shtp. And check out the cool animated weather gribs at
www.atmos.washington.edu.