Seas calm for yachts in 44th Transpac

Movement was slow yesterday and conditions at sea were downright depressing, according to reports from boats at the 44th annual Transpacific Yacht Race.

An e-mail from Psyche, a Cal 40 out of Rancho Palos Verdes, Calif., read: "Have you imagined yourself a sole survivor of a shipwreck in a small vessel with no power, drifting alone in the Pacific?"

A Transpac 2007 release described wind conditions as "light to nonexistent."

Gaviota, a Cal 2-46 out of Pasadena, Calif., dropped sails and turned on the engine, dropping out of the race.

Satellite tracking has the boat headed for Honolulu at 7.5 knots.

"They just want to get to Honolulu," a Transpac official commented.

The Division 4, Division 50/52 and Division 5 boats were scheduled to launch today from Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach and officially start off Point Fermin at San Pedro, Calif.

The last 23, and fastest-rated boats, will start Sunday in the California- to-Hawaii race.