Transpac Course Record Trophy Reset

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Written by Transpac Staff

Saturday, 17 July 2010 10:45

Neville Crichton, Stan Honey, Clock Trophy

On Friday, July 9, 2010, a unique group of Transpac sailors gathered at the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum. Neville Crichton arrived at the museum to reset the Transpac Course Record Clock Trophy. Neville and his crew on board the 100 foot Maxi Yacht Alfa Romeo had set a blazing record from Los Angeles to Honolulu of 5 days, 14 hours, 36 minutes, and 20 seconds during the 2009 race. Neville and navigator Stan Honey joined former record holders Bill Lee and Roy P. Disney, the flag officers of Transpacific YC and a crowd of enthusiastic Transpac and NHNM supporters to witness the clock setting.

Andrea Favilli, the creator of the trophy was also present to guide the clock setting. The trophy was commisioned by Roy E. Disney to commemorate the yachts who have set record times for the Transpac race from Los Angeles to Honolulu. Andrea explained the ideas behind the trophy and the construction of this unique piece of maritime art. The trophy includes a clock inspired by the original navigation clocks. The dials of the clock on the trophy are set to the most recent record time.

Three record holders were present. First, Bill Lee, now Commodore of Transpac YC, who set the record in 1977 on his famous yacht Merlin with a record run that would last for 20 years. Second, Roy Pat Disney, who set the record with Pyewacket in 1997 when his father Roy E.

Three Record Holders, Bill, Neville, Roy P.

could not make the race after being injured in an accident. Roy E. Disney came back with Pyewacket in 1999 and took the record himself. And finally, Neville Crichton the new record holder as of the 2009 race. Stan Honey was the navigator on all the Pyewacket and the Alfa Romeo record runs above! Hasso Plattner the only other recent record holder was unable to be present.

It is the consensus of many veteran Transpac sailors and navigators that the current record set by Alfa Romeo will last for some time. It will take another superb team and boat combined with some great sailing weather to reset the clock trophy again. But, the next opportunity to break this record will come in July of 2011.

The list of Los Angeles to Honolulu Record holders is:

1906 Lurline H.H. Sinclair 12:09:59
1926 Invader Don M. Lee 12:02:48:03
1949 Morning Star Richard S. Rheem 10:10:13:09
1955 Morning Star Richard S. Rheem 9:15:05:10
1965 Ticonderoga Robert Johnson 9:13:51:02
1969 Blackfin Kenneth DeMeuse 9:10:21:00
1971 Windward Passage Mark Johnson 9:09:06:48
1977 Merlin Bill Lee 8:11:01:45
1997 Pyewacket Roy P. Disney 7:15:24:40
1999 Pyewacket Roy E. Disney 7:11:41:27
2005 Morning Glory Hasso Plattner 6:16:04:11
2009 Alfa Romeo Neville Crichton 5:14:36:20

Photos courtesy of Rick Rosen and Newport Harbor Nautical Museum

Andrea Favilli, Transpac Flag Officers and Roy P. Disney

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