Winnetou the winner

Overall results announced for West Marine Pacific Cup

Winnetou, a Santa Cruz 52 from San Francisco has been declared the official winner of the West Marine Pacific Cup's 13th biennial race from San Francisco to Kaneohe.  The Martin Brauns' skippered downwind specialist was navigated by Peter Isler whose sailing credentials include four Americas Cup campaigns and a lengthy list of international sailing triumphs.  Winnetou captured both the overall honors and her division which included a variety of yachts best suited to the San Francisco-Kaneohe race.

Finishing decisions were made after all boats arrived with handicap calculations and protests resolved.

Hawaii boats fared well.  Ghost, the Kim and Lou Ickler, Morgan 38 carried the Kaneohe Yacht Club burgee to the winners' podium for the second time in Division A.
First Light, Charles Shank's 38 foot Island Packet, also from Kaneohe Yacht Club finished second.

Division B saw California Girl, a Cal 40 from Richmond, California take the trophy with Betty Lessley at the helm and the entire crew from the Lessley family.  Ikaika, Tony Miller's Waikiki Yacht Club entry was second -- another local yacht, Cirrus finished fifth.

Inspired Environments, a Beneteau First 40 from Sausalito won Division C.

Sensation, from Golden Gate Yacht Club and skippered by Gary Fanger won the Division D competition.  Kaneohe Yacht Club members Steve and Sue Chamberlin finished second in their Schumacher 46, Surprise.  Local yachts Kaimiloa and Niele finished fifth and sixth.

Division F included Mari Cha V and Magnitude80.  Both boats broke Pyewacket's 1998, San Francisco-Kaneohe record of 6 days, 22 hours and 20 minutes.  Mari Cha IV brought the record down to5 days, 5 hours and 38 minutes.  With the handicap/ratings system in yacht racing, the quickest two were set aside from the division win by Braveheart, a Transpac 52 from Seattle, skippered by Colin Booth.

Some 50 yachts started the race, only one dropped out and there was but one serious incident, a dismasting of CSquared which was jury rigged at sea with a successful arrival at Kaneohe.

The 2004 West Marine Pacific Cup is in the books -- 2006 is in the planning.
            
Final standings

Doublehanded
Eyrie
              Salty Hotel
                        PoleCat
                        Mirage BS
                        Moonshine
                        Nina
                        Mirage EX       

Division A
         Ghost
                        First Light                    
                        Cayenne
                        Bravo
                        Island Time                                                      
                        Ketch 22                                                          
                       
Division B
         California Girl
                        Ikaika
                        Tutto Bene
                        MarCaballo
                        Cirrus
                        Acacia 
                        Tango
                         

Division C
         Inspired Environments              
                        Punahele
                        Auspice
                        White Fang
                        Bodacious                    
                        Lightwave
                        Predator                                                          
                        Sea Peace
                                               
Division D
         Sensation
                        Surprise                                                           
                        Andiamo
                        Synge
                        Between the Sheets
                        Scorpio
                        Kaimiloa
                        Niele                                                               
                        ProMotion

Division E  
       Winnetou  #1 in fleet
                        Morpheus #2 in fleet
                        Natazak    #3 in fleet
                        Lightning                      
                        WhiteCaps
                        Kyrnos
                        Chicken Little
                        CSquared

Division F
         Braveheart
                        Mari Cha IV
                        Magnitude 80
                        Icon