SAN FRANCISCO, CA — Beginning today, the waters of San Francisco Bay will be the stage for some exciting activity as the 11th edition of the West Marine Pacific Cup race to Hawaii gets underway. This year's fleet represents another record turnout for the biennial race, with 77 entries in 10 divisions set to cross the starting line in front of the St. Francis Yacht Club. The various divisions will start over a five-day period.

Entries range in size from 24 to 70 feet, with double-handed and fully crewed divisions. The smallest boat entered is Twice Daily, a Moore 24, and the largest is Steve Rander?s custom 70-foot Tom-Wylie-designed sled Rage. Rander and his crew will have their hands full racing against Gary Baugh and Tim Well's Taxi Dancer, which features a deep, talented crew. Both boats may find it tough to tackle Roy Disney?s existing course record set in 1998 when his turbo sled Pyewacket blazed across the 2,070-mile course in 6d, 14h, and 22m.

Besides the coveted first-to-finish trophy, racers will compete for trophies awarded on the basis of corrected time under the Pacific Cup Rating handicap system, designed to level the playing field for different types of boats in a race that is mostly downwind. On the lighter side, boats are also competing for fun prizes awarded for largest fish caught, best crew shirt and best reason for doing the West Marine Pacific Cup, among others. The awards banquet is scheduled for Thursday, July 27, at Kaneohe Yacht Club on Oahu. For additional information on the event, log on to the event's website at www.pacificcup.org.