LOS ANGELES — The Transpacific Yacht Club has postponed the Transpac-Tahiti 2020 race from Los Angeles to Tahiti due to restrictions stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.
LOS ANGELES — The Transpacific Yacht Club has postponed the Transpac-Tahiti 2020 race from Los Angeles to Tahiti due to restrictions stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.
The 3,570-mile (5,745-kilometer) race had been scheduled to start on May 28.
“While racing at sea has no inherent risk in the pandemic, the recent imposition of public health restrictions in both California and French Polynesia have made it nearly impossible for entries to prepare or plan for both the race and its logistical support,” the club said.
Ten boats were entered in the race, which has been held 14 time since the first contest in 1925.
A new start date was not announced. Alternative dates later this year will have to take into account the risk of the South Pacific tropical storm season.
The Transpacific Yacht Club also stages the biennial Transpac, a 2,225-mile (3,580-kilometer) race from Los Angeles to Honolulu. That race, which dates to 1906, was most recently held last year.
Another mainstay of Southern California sailing culture, the Newport to Ensenada International Yacht Race, has also been postponed due to the pandemic.
The Newport Ocean Sailing Association’s board announced recently that the 73rd race will now start on April 23, 2021.
