The Honolulu based TP 52 “Loco Motion 2” came ripping into Oahu yesterday to claim line honors in Hawaii Yacht Club’s annual Labor Day race from Lahaina, Maui to Honolulu. The Judel Vrolijk-designed TP 52 had been entered in the last Transpac but had to withdraw after failing to be ready in time for the race. After a major keel and hull reinforcement overseen by Jim Donovan, the boat looks to be in top form, also claiming line honors and a new course record in last month’s Kauai Channel Race.
The owner, Dr. John Myhre, has put together a mostly corinthian program with an older boat and used sails, and continues to show why the TP 52 box rule has been so successful over the years. Inshore, offshore, new-gen or 10 years old, these boats rock and we were stoked to catch Loco in her element, doing exactly what she was designed and built to do.
Also, massive shout out to Lauren ‘Lolo’ Easley who, when she’s not behind the lens of a camera as Hawaii’s premier sailing photographer, she’s sailing on some of the fastest boats in the aloha state as evidenced by this video where her and boyfriend Ian Towill help manage the trimming. Ian’s brother Mark Towill, of Vestas/ 11th Hour fame, came in not far off the pace on the Pac Cup division-winning Melges 32 ‘Rufless’, who stormed into Waikiki as the second boat over the line, taking down several much bigger rivals. Results not posted and/ or official yet. Island time, brah.
Video by Ronnie Simpson.
