History
In 1906, Clarence MacFarlane of Honolulu challenged several California sailors in San Francisco to race to the Hawaiian Islands.
He had planned for the race to start in San Francisco, but after that city was devastated by an earthquake, the starting point was moved to the Los Angeles area, with the finish off the Diamond Head lighthouse, just east of Honolulu. The distance is about 2,225 nautical miles.
The race was held biennially through 1912, then was discontinued until 1923. It was basically biennial again through 1941, when it was suspended because of World War II. Since 1947, the race has been staged in every odd-numbered year.
Originally known as the Los Angeles-to-Hawaii, the race is now called the Transpac.
The Transpacific Yacht Club Perpetual Trophy is nicknamed the "Barn Door" because it's a 3 by 4 1/2-foot, hand-carved plaque made of Hawaiian koa wood. It was originally awarded in 1949 to the first boat to cross the finish line. Since 1991, when the race began using a staggered start, it goes to the monohull boat with the best elapsed time.
The King Kalakaua Trophy is awarded to the boat with the best corrected time.
