The crew of Brown Sugar crossed the finish line of the 2005 Transpacific Yacht Race at 6:39 PM Hawaiian time on Sunday, July 24. They sailed the 2,225 miles from Los Angeles to Honolulu in 320:39:23 hours, which is equal to about 13 days, 12 hours, and 39 minutes--and they averaged 6.94 knots. They took SECOND PLACE in Division V! Here's the final standings in their division:

The crew consisted of (from left) Captain Steve Brown, Paul Erickson, Dustin Durant, Rick Brizendine (sitting), Bill Durant (Dustin's dad), and Russ Turk. The photograph above was taken as the BS crew arrived in Honolulu on Sunday, July 24. This photo came from their "Daily Arrival" page on the website for the Transpacific Yacht Club.

The rest of this blog provides photos, messages, position maps, and other information that were collected during and after the race. Some of the photos below, among others, may still be available on the Transpac Race photo page. for the July 11th start. Just go to the bottom of the page and click on the collection from Michael Reed--assuming they are still there.)

Sunday, July 10

On July 10, the Brown Sugar crew said goodbye to friends and family alike during a festive dockside bon voyage party. While everyone else partied, however, the crew frantically fixed halyards, replaced a dead starter engine, and address other last-minute glitches.

Monday, July 11: The Nightmare Begins

After months of preparation, Brown Sugar's crew looked relaxed and confident as they maneuvered their Express 37 into position the next morning, July 11, while waiting for the race to begin at 1 PM near Point Fermin, just south of Los Angeles, CA.

Their confidence was bolstered (or possibly shattered) by the arrival of Reel Estate, the notorious Transpac party vessel. Operating under the command of its infamous captain, the party pirate Larry Boren, Reel Estate was loaded to the gunwales with many of the same seedy family members, friends, and assorted groupies of Brown Sugar.

Seconds before the race began, Brown Sugar (left) slipped into position right next to the committee boat (center) while 32 other vessels fought their way to the starting line. As Brown Sugar cleared the starting line, Skipper Steve Brown broke toward the favored right side of the course and found clear air while his crew skillfully trimmed the sails.

Due to its favored right-side position, Brown Sugar soon jumped into first place--much to the astonishment of the entire sailing world. While news crews in helicopters (above left) followed their every move in disbelief, the skipper and crew continued to increase their lead until...

...They were overtaken by Reel Estate (left), which suddenly surged past them into first place. Larry Boren and his rum-sodden crew led the race for several exhilarating minutes until someone quietly informed them that powerboats were not allowed to compete in Transpac.

At that point, Brown Sugar's crew members settled into their positions on deck, dreaming of Hawaiian mai tais, wild parties in Honolulu, and their inevitable Transpac victory--which was now only 2,223 miles away!

Later that evening, scurrilous rumors began to circulate that Skipper Steve and his band of scalawags had abandoned the race and were drinking Buffalo Milks at Luau Larry's in Avalon. We are proud to report that those vicious rumors have proven to be...

...well, let's just say unconfirmed.

As they disappeared over the horizon after their start, however, the entire Brown Sugar Nation looked forward to following their nautical exploits in the days to come. Their many landlocked friends and family members also wished them nothing but fair skies, steady winds, and God's Speed.

If you DARE to learn how our gallant mariners survived their epic Transpac voyage, click here.