Stolen Transpac sails leads to powerful opportunity for members of the sport's community

Follow Cal Maritime throughout Transpac 2023 by visiting the team's Instagram page: @CalMaritimeSailing

When you were a young adult. what were the moments, events, memories that took place that shaped how you see the world and who you are today? Think about the stories you shared with people you love since then regarding challenges faced, friendships created, and wisdom gained from those key points of your life.

What if those highlights never took place?

That was the situation a group of Cal Maritime sailing cadets and program alums recently faced when a senseless event took place shortly before the start of year's Transpacific Yacht Race from San Pedro, California, to Diamond Head in Honolulu.  

For a group comprised of the sport's rising talents — Cal Maritime is the only college team competing against a field of the world's top professional teams in this world-renowned event — months of hard work, sacrifice and dedication were nearly erased when crew members realized thieves stole a trailer that housed the team's valuable equipment, including their sails, for specific use in this biannual event.

Literally overnight, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for 13 members of Cal Maritime's Transpac team disappeared; only a brief block of time remained to resuscitate the team's status in this year's event – the program's third overall appearance and first since 2019 — since the Keelhaulers were slated to begin their 2,225-mile journey on July 1 as part of the event's final group of departing competitors.

With each passing hour since its equipment disappeared, Cal Maritime's situation spread around the world. Within two days, a once-precarious situation morphed into a shining example of how the sailing community supports one another, especially when unforeseen hardships or challenges take place. 

With help from George Hershman's Reichel/Pugh 63 GoodEnergy, Doug McCean, Alan Andrews and Reichel/Pugh office. a new set of sails that closely matched the Andrew 77's specifications were given to program manager Jib Kelly, who completed arrangements for delivery to Cal Maritime's boat. 

The rigors and challenges presented throughout the 2,225-mile course from Southern California, to Hawai'i, are key reasons why the Transpac is seen as a transformational experience; equally as powerful, and life-altering are the relationships that are formed and strengthened before, during and after this race. 

Thanks to the generosity of people previously mentioned, organizing bodies, other individuals, crews, designers, and companies, 13 people will now live their dream firsthand by competing in this year's Transpac — an opportunity that nearly vanished when team's vital supplies and sails disappeared.

"We are stunned our community came together and within 48 hours provided us with this donation of sails," said Cal Maritime Offshore Coach Kerry Deaver.

She added, "I was in Alaska without phone contact last week but monitored and helped through email and WhatsApp. The turnout [and level] of support has been tremendous and allowed us to focus on other preparations we need to race to Hawai'i."

By showcasing its collective strength and supporting other members of the sailing family, a powerful moment that will indelibly shape CSUM's Transpac crew, for the rest of their lives, was created in addition to restoring Cal Maritime's race status. 

Sailing fans can follow Cal Maritime throughout its trans-Pacific journey by visiting the team's Instagram page @CalMaritimeSailing. The team will depart Southern California alongside other members within its division on July 1.