After two years of preparations the 2013 edition of the
Transpac Yacht Race starts today.
Divisions 7 & 8 head out from Los Angeles in what is scheduled to be
10-14 knts of wind from the west.
Ullman Sails is well represented in this year’s race as we have
helped prep numerous boats throughout the large fleet. Ullman Sails Newport Beach team member Erik
Shampain is on board the SC-50 ‘Horizon’ and Keith Magnussen (myself) will be
on the J-125 ‘West Coast Warrior.’ Both
boats are prepped and ready for the Thursday start. Ullman Sails Long Beach will be represented
by Bryan Dair who is starting today on the Jeanneau 44 ‘Sleeper.’ Sleeper (pictured on the left) is participating in their first
Transpac Race and is excited to be involved in 2013. Bob Hayward’s Seastream 650 ‘Manatea’ is
leaving today with a full set of Ullman Sails and a full time cook! That will be a little different than what we
will be eating on the J-125!
The preparations began two years ago for these boats and
everything culminates when the boats leave the dock at the legendary Rainbow
Harbor in Long Beach California. Ullman
Sails are heavily involved in each of these boats and have been consulting on
sails, systems, personnel and just about every other aspect of racing across
the Pacific Ocean.
Horizon (pictured left) is the
veteran boat having won their class in the last edition and done the voyage
many other times. Owner, Jack Taylor,
has spent years getting his boat up to the competitive level it is at and they
are hoping for a good fast race. 
We have spent the last few days on Warrior (pictured on the right)
With the advancements in communication there will be plenty
of ways to stay in touch with what is happening on the racecourse. Follow the boats on Yellowbrick tracking, Sleeper has their
own FaceBook
page, West Coast Warrior have a Blog and will be reporting via Sailing Anarchy as will Horizon.
Keith Magnussen
Ullman Sails Newport Beach
