News Flash Update: Official Announcement Great Pacific Race To Launch On Monday, June 9th, 2014

News provided by

Jun 09, 2014, 12:09 ET

MONTEREY, Calif., June 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Great Pacific Race, launching in Monterey, CA will commence at 10am PT and 10 crews are expected to row the Pacific Ocean – four solos, two pairs, and four four-man crews. Three other crews, originally slated to take part in the race, have delayed their starts due to the late arrival of their boats.

Dubbed "the biggest baddest human endurance challenge on the planet" the Great Pacific Race is the first-ever organized rowing event to cross the 2,400 miles of Pacific Ocean from Monterey to Hawaii. The crews row with nothing but muscle power and the will to achieve something historic. Several crews will achieve Guinness World Record titles if they successfully complete the race; their arrival in Honolulu is expected to be 30 to 90 days from now.

The race was originally due to start on Saturday June 7^th, but due to high winds gusting to 40 knots forecasted in the offshore area, race officials made the decision to postpone the race start by 48 hours.

Media and Public are INVITED TO ATTEND MONDAY. Further information on best viewing sites, best locations for taking pictures and for media to meet crews and most recent news is available on the Great Pacific Race website under RACE INFORMATION.

"The crews are ready, and it's the best weather window in the next 10 days to start the race, so we are good to go," said Chris Martin, Race Director for the Great Pacific Race.

WHAT:	GREAT PACIFIC RACE, inaugural Pacific rowing race start line

WHO:	10 crews comprised of 24 individuals from 9 different countries, rowing 2,400 miles from Monterey to Honolulu.

WHEN:	Monday, June 9th, at 10:00am PT for public viewing 6.30-8.00am for media images and interviews at Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club (book appointments in advance)

WHERE:	Public viewing from McAbee Beach 10am PT, near Cannery Row, Monterey, California, USA;
	Media Interviews day-of from Monterey Marina, Monterey Peninsula Yacht Club

VISUALS:	For best visual and interview possibilities, contact [email protected] or [email protected]. Spots for select media on spectator yachts are available (absolutely must book in advance).

DAY OF PRACTICE RACE START SCHEDULE – MONDAY, June 9th

8:00am-8:45 am boats depart Monterey Marina, put in at ramp across from Monterey Pacific Yacht Club and head for start muster venue off San Carlos beach.
9.50am – All crews must be behind the start line.
10am – Off McAbee Beach Race start (radio tower)

ABOUT THE GREAT PACIFIC RACE:

Crews are from 9 countries (Australia, Canada, France, Ireland, New Zealand, South Korea, Netherlands, UK and USA)
Average oar strokes taken during the crossing = 1,000,000
Each crew aims to complete the race without external assistance of any kind, carrying all their own food and a desalinization kit for water
The race links two of the country's thirteen national marine sanctuaries, launching from Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary and ending in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary.
A video, made by City of Monterey, is available here
Crews will row 2,100 nautical miles / 2,400 statute miles / 4000 km from Monterey, California to Honolulu, Hawaii.