Gregory Ashby
Beiley 25 (monohull)
"Akumu"
Why did you decide to do this race?
It was less of a decision and more of putting the possibility out there, working towards it and watching things come together.
Is this your first time doing the race?
Second
How long have you been sailing?
Ten years on the ocean. Started with a daysailer eight years before that. Had an El Toro when I was a kid.
Where is your home port?
Point Richmond, CA
How long have you had your boat?
5 years
Have you done any other ocean races of note? (singlehanded or not)
- 2024 Pacific Cup, s/v Morning Star, Valiant 32, Double handed
- 2018 Singlehanded TransPacific Race
What do you hope to get out of the race?
Go sailing, have a good time, enjoy nature, set a record, win!
Are you sailing your boat back or shipping it back?
Sailing
What’s something special about your boat?
#44 of 50 built. Made in California. Originally ordered and sent to the East coast and has made it’s way back to Cal. One of the owners in Michigan now has the J92 formerly known as Ragtime!
Any other fun info you’d like to share?
People think I’m nuts
Philippe Jamotte
Class 40 (monohull)
"Changabang"
Why did you decide to do this race?
Well, I haven’t yet decided to the race. And if I do it’s because I’m a fool.
Is this your first time doing the race?
Nope, I’ve been a fool before.
How long have you been sailing?
I started sailing in 2013.
Where is your home port?
Pillar Point Harbor
How long have you had your boat?
5 years
Have you done any other ocean races of note? (singlehanded or not)
The 2018 SHTP
What do you hope to get out of the race?
Be a little less of a fool.
Are you sailing your boat back or shipping it back?
Sailing
What’s something special about your boat?
She’s a first generation Class40 of amateur build.
Any other fun info you’d like to share?
n/a
Rich Caruana
boat make
"Endeavor"
Chris Case
Cal 40 (monohull)
"Fugu"
Why did you decide to do this race?
Curiosity about what my limits are, and a means to expand those limits.
Is this your first time doing the race?
No, first offense was in 2018.
How long have you been sailing?
My dad taught sailing in New England summers, so I’ve been sailing since I was 5, but didn’t race until I was an adult.
Where is your home port?
Richmond Yacht Club
How long have you had your boat?
3 years
Have you done any other ocean races of note? (singlehanded or not)
Just the 2018 SHTP
What do you hope to get out of the race?
Enjoy the immensity of the ocean, find my limits & overcome them. And enjoy the camaraderie with my competitors that this race seems to foster!
Are you sailing your boat back or shipping it back?
Sailing
What’s something special about your boat?
FUGU is a well cared for Plastic Classic, that has been given lots of love by previous owners, this has inspired me to do the same, we’ve added a new rig to complement all the other improvements that this 60 year old has received to remain seaworthy! She is ready to sail another 40 years, until she is 100 years old!
Any other fun info you’d like to share?
FUGU is the Japanese word for blow fish, we’ve adopted a kids bath toy of a FUGU as the boat’s mascot, which can often be seen dangling from the stern pulpit!
Christopher Rusin
Westsail 32 (monohull)
"Innfall"
Why did you decide to do this race?
My dream has been to circumnavigate the North Pacific High Solo since I was a young boy. I thought it would amazing to participate in this historic race for the SF to HI leg of my journey. I don’t consider myself a competitor just a participant.
Is this your first time doing the race?
Yes
How long have you been sailing?
On and off for 35+ years. I consider myself intermediate in skill.
Where is your home port?
Semiahmoo Marina – Blaine,WA
How long have you had your boat?
2 Years
Have you done any other ocean races of note? (singlehanded or not)
No ocean races to my name however, I have sailed from San Diego to Hilo in 2013.
What do you hope to get out of the race?
The satisfaction of accomplishing my goal. Im sure I’ll meet some amazing people and Im looking forward to that as well.
Are you sailing your boat back or shipping it back?
Sailing
What’s something special about your boat?
I love her Strong Spirit. I knew she was the One for this adventure the second I first boarded her.
Any other fun info you’d like to share?
N/a
John Wilkerson
boat make
"Perplexity"
Brian Radamaker
boat make
"Rad"
Clifford Shaw
boat make
"Rainbow"
Alexander Benderskii
boat make
"Reverie"
Jerome Sammarcelli
boat make
"Sam"
Michael Polkabla
Cal 40 (monohull)
"Solstice"
Why did you decide to do this race?
For the challenge and experience in achieving this solo sailing goal and hanging out with other nutty people
Is this your first time doing the race?
Finished the Singlehanded Transpac in 2023
How long have you been sailing?
I fell in love with sailing in the mid 70’s when I was 12.
Where is your home port?
Monterey, CA
How long have you had your boat?
I have had Solstice for 7 years. The Cal40 is my dream boat.
Have you done any other ocean races of note? (singlehanded or not)
- 2023 Singlehanded Transpac
- California Offshore Race Week, Long Beach to Cabo Race, Spinnaker Cup
What do you hope to get out of the race?
Solitude, Fulfillment, Focus, and Peace
Are you sailing your boat back or shipping it back?
Sailing
What’s something special about your boat?
Solstice will be the oldest boat in the race (built in 1963) and has done the fully crewed Transpac in the 70’s from Long Beach to Hawaii with the original owner and now again with me in 2023 and 2025
Any other fun info you’d like to share?
I used to race motorcycles for years and feel there are lots of similarities between motorcycle racing and sailboat racing that not many people would know… sailboat racing tends to have fewer injuries though, of course!
Peter Simon
boat make
"Starship"
Loren Brindze
Hobie 33 (monohull)
"Topaz"
Why did you decide to do this race?
lapse of judgement, temporary insanity?
Is this your first time doing the race?
Yes
How long have you been sailing?
20 years
Where is your home port?
Marina del Rey, CA
How long have you had your boat?
5 Years
Have you done any other ocean races of note? (singlehanded or not)
Bermuda 1-2
What do you hope to get out of the race?
I hope to make it, push myself personally, and test my endurance and personal limits.
Are you sailing your boat back or shipping it back?
Shipping
What’s something special about your boat?
It safely got me home from Bermuda through a Tropical Storm (Claudette) in 2021
Any other fun info you’d like to share?
Making it to the start would be the fulfillment of a personal dream I have held on to for the last 15 or so years.