Kahn’s Pegasus Has Early Lead

In light winds that allowed him to sail only 93 miles to sea in the 20 hours since the start of the 41st Transpacific Yacht Race, Philippe Kahn guided his 75-foot Pegasus to a one-mile lead over Bob McNulty’s Chance, and a two-mile advantage over Roy E. Disney’s Pyewacket en route to the finish in Hawaii.

Pegasus, one of four Division I boats, was first around the west end of Santa Catalina Island, the only marker on the 2,225-mile journey from Los Angeles to Honolulu.

Merlin’s Reata lagged 13 miles behind Chance.

Grand Illusion and J-Bird III, Division II vessels, started at the same time as Chance and were within a mile of each other about 10 miles behind Chance’s pace.

The Japanese entry Bengal II had 1,837 miles remaining and led the Division III boats that started Saturday, holding a three-mile advantage over Cantata. Bull, owned by Seth Radow of Marina del Rey, led in Division IV, 1,886 miles from Honolulu. Sensation trailed by 17 miles. Canadian Bill Allan withdrew LawnDart after 150 miles because of trouble with its generating system, leaving 32 boats in the race.

Among boats that started June 25, Stardust, owned by Peter and Patricia Anderson of Laguna Beach, had a 75-mile lead over Axapac in Aloha Division B, and was 1,098 miles from Hawaii. Sunset Beach resident Wendy Siegal’s Willow Wind had a 76-mile lead over Seda in Aloha Division A.