Perhaps we spoke too soon. When we checked the standings this morning, we found that James Nichols' Velvet Hammer has unseated Lucky Duck for the forecast Clean Sweep (First in division, ORR, and Pacific Cup) with an anticipated crossing time of under eight and a half days.

In the PHRF 1 Division, Michael Johnson's Vera Cruz has nosed out in front of the Cal 40s, with an eta barely half an hour corrected in front of his next challenger, Azure.

Midway through the 2024 Pacific Cup, some leaders are solidifying their positions. While the starting weather was somewhat random, punishing the Monday starters terribly, the mid-course conditions have lived up to “the brochure” offering great downwind sails.

We invite the sailors to include news with their mandatory daily check-ins. (See them here).

For July 22, we were struck by two items. First, at least a half dozen have reported running into abandoned fishing nets. These hazards can get stuck on the boat, slowing progress and making engine propulsion difficult if needed. In most cases, heading straight into the wind and letting the boat back up will clear the problem. In severe cases, someone needs to go over with a knife. No cases of that have been reported.

With the leading boats about 1200 miles out, the structure of the race is pretty much shaping up. Everyone had adopted a somewhat southerly course to this point, but we are seeing a significant number start to alter their courses aiming at a point more northerly.

A look at the forecast shows modestly stronger wind, by a few knots, to the north. Boats who can get up there quickly will take advantage of the more favorable conditions, while slower boats may opt to carry on with their existing courses to minimize miles sailed.

The second and third days of starts went well. However the voyage ended too soon for a few boats.

It’s a matter of history and statistics that a percentage of boats will turn back early on for one reason or another. For the 2024 race, we are experiencing a similar rate of cancelled trips as prior years. Four boats have headed back to shore with steering issues and one with medical and comms challenges.

With (mostly) textbook precision, our five groups of starters headed out through the Gate on the FUN race to Hawaii.

With clearing skies and a steady breeze at the start and out the gate, they certainly had more FUN than the starters on Monday, who suffered a very challenging night with minimal wind.  The wind has filled in nicely, with a firm 20-30 knot push forecast and observed, so for some it will be a case of "be careful what you wish for."

Wednesday's crowd included two PHRF divisions, the Multihulls, and an ORR division. The final division, ORR2 started Thursday.

This morning's fleets headed out under light winds and an overcast sky to the promise of difficult light winds.  As we checked in with the Coast Guard (required for organized races), the officer asked "how long till they are fifty miles out?"

Uhh.... six hours? Ten?

Our first starts are Monday the 15th. As sometimes happens, the weather forecast for the start is light wind. This will be a challenge.

"Of course, we can't control the weather," says Principal Race Officer Michael Moradzadeh. "We worked to pick a start date with a good current helping folks out the Gate, and a full moon once they are out there, as well as a likely good offshore weather pattern, historically, but the stuff right outside the Gate looks like a challenge."