Final 12 entries begin Transpac

Advertiser Staff

The last 12 yachts — including Division I entries Pyewacket and Pegasus — began the 42nd Transpacific Yacht Race from Los Angeles to Diamond Head yesterday.

Pyewacket, a 75-foot boat skippered by Roy Disney of Los Angeles, and Pegasus 77, with skipper Philippe Kahn of Honolulu, are the only two entries in Division I for the largest and fastest yachts. Pegasus was the fastest boat to finish the biennial race in 2001 in 8 days, 2 hours, 34 minutes, 3 seconds.

Pyewacket yesterday reported being a mile ahead of Pegasus as the boats reached the west end of Santa Catalina Island, 23 miles and 2 1/2 hours from the start, and moved into the open ocean.

A total of 57 boats started the 2,225 nautical-mile race, but Lucky Dog and The Cone of Silence dropped out Friday.

Daily reports on the race are posted at www.transpacificyc.org.