STAR-BULLETIN FILE / 2001 A spinnaker flies in the wind as a sailboat heads toward Hawaii in the Transpacific Yacht Race, held every other year. CLICK FOR LARGE

Transpac yachts begin Hawaii trek

The first 23 starters in the 44th annual Transpacific Yacht Race set sail from Long Beach, Calif., to Hawaii yesterday escorted by dolphins and a balmy 7-knot westerly breeze.

The top fleets included nine Division 6 racers and 14 Aloha A and B division boats. Yachts in Divisions 4 and 5, and nine vintage Santa Cruz 50 and 52 boats start on Thursday, followed by Divisions 1, 2 and 3 on Sunday.

All will begin their 2,225 nautical-mile journey off Point Fermin in nearby San Pedro after sendoff ceremonies at Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach.

Weather forecasts call for unsettled conditions a day or two out, meaning it could take a little longer to get here than the predicted six days.