Photos from Ron Kilgore's Ride-Along Before the Race

This is a link to the photo page with photos of Addiction's crew underway with the media before the start of the big race.

http://www.knx1070.com/KNX-1070-s-Ron-Kilgore-Hitches-a-Ride-with-Crew-of/4698181

Article on www.crew.org.nz About the Future of TransPac Sailors

Transpac 09 - The Next Generation

Los Angeles (July 5, 2009) - Most of the boats entered in Transpac 09 are veterans of the world's most enduring and greatest ocean race. Many have completed two or three Los Angeles to Hawaii Transpacs; however, it is not unusual to hear that the boat has done four or five Transpacs. It's also commonplace to meet sailors who have raced in several Transpacs. Also common are third, fourth and even fifth generation Transpac legacies. The Los Angeles to Hawaii Transpac is a rite of passage in many West Coast and Hawaiian sailing families.

Not many involved can remember a Transpac without a Pyewacket sailing and Disney family involvement. The Steeles have always done their part on the Los Angeles and Honolulu ends of the race. The Comyns, Kilroys, Eddys, Garniers, Hogans and many other families have not only sailed many Transpacs, they have been on the board of Transpacific Yacht Club, a non-profit, volunteer organization.

Upon crossing the finish line off of Diamond Head, everyone who is not already a member of the Transpacific Yacht Club automatically becomes eligible for membership. Growing the club means opening up the opportunity having this experience of a lifetime to others, especially the next generation. This year, there are several boats with youthful, strong and enthusiastic crews.

Pyewacket has its stable afterguard and it also has a bumper crop of Morning Light kids. Akin to the Brat Pack, it's a term of endearment, which they will never outgrow. Piet Van Os is navigating his second Transpac. Jeremy Wilmot is trimming the main and Jesse Fielding is on the bow for their second Transpacs.

Kate Theisen and Graham Brant-Zawadski who were alternates to the Morning Light team that sailed the 2007 Transpac and trained with the kids who made the crossing up until the Aloha Send-off, are going the distance this time and sailing aboard the tall ship, The Lynx.

Morning Light heroine, Jenny Tulloch, returns on Ragtime. Tulloch is addicted to offshore sailing and to match racing. Since the 2007 Transpac she has sailed the Tahiti Race on Ragtime and has shot to the top of the US Women's Match Racing rankings. She has the touch on the helm to get extra speed out of Ragtime like no one else.

Jay and Joe Crum have spent what must seem like months working on Flash, bounding from dock to deck with parts, sails and sealants to prepare her for the Transpac. Paul Cayard and his son Danny and daughter Allie are onboard for their second sail to Hawaii in as many years.

Reinrag2 sits on dry land for most of the year and comes out for the sled races. Kevin and LaShawna are part of the latest generation of Garniers celebrating the 4th of July in the middle of the Pacific with Tom.

Westerly is completely a friends and family boat. Tom and Tim Hogan, brothers who have sailed Etchells together for years, have one son each on board. L.J. Edgecomb, who sailed on Courageous with Ted Turner, has his two sons pulling their weight on Westerly also.

Standing out in the crowd of teenagers and twenty-something's is Lindsey Austin. During the 2007 Transpac, Austin, a native of Hawaii, was the youngest person ever to win a division in the century of Transpac racing. She was 22 at the time. This year she is at the helm of her stepfather's boat. Richard Blackburn has adapted well to crewing for Lindsey. Lindsey, who shoots from the hip and sometimes sails by the seat of her pants, appreciates having her mother Donna, who is also a very accomplished sailor, on board for her wise and cautious recommendations.

It can take weeks to sail 2,225 nautical miles across the Pacific in a 35 to 80-foot boat. It takes maturity and trust on everyone's part to take off for the incredible journey from Los Angeles to Honolulu. The race is much more than going for a road trip with the kids in the back of the car idling away the hours and repeatedly asking, "Are we there yet?" The Transpac is a special rite of passage and a bond for life among immediate and extended family and friends that has endured for over a century.

Interview by Satellite Phone with Ron Kilgore KNX 1070 News Radio

This was an interview done by satellite phone from the middle of the Pacific Ocean with Addiction's Captain, Lindsey Austin. Thanks to Ron Kilgore for checking in on our beloved crew, its nice to hear their voices.

http://www.knx1070.com/pages/4761730.php
http://podcast.knx1070.com/knx/1839571.mp3

Some great photos of Addiction's crew in Long Beach harbor

These are photos from Addiction's press outing from the Long Beach newspaper the Press Telegram. All photos by Jeff Gritchen

http://presstelegram.mycapture.com/mycapture/folder.asp?event=785010&CategoryID=28570&ListSubAlbums=0

TransPac 2009 Prep Video With Video Clips of Addiction

KNX 1070 News Radio Interview With Lindsey and Crew by Ron Kilgore

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Monday, June 8, 2009

CONTACT:

Kristin Royalty
e-mail: kristinroyalty@gmail.com
phone: (253)722-7595

Race: 45^th TransPac – July 2009
Captain: Lindsey Anne Austin, age 24
Vessel: Addiction

Website: http://addictiontranspac09.blogspot.com/

Youngest TransPac Captain to Win is Back to Defend Her Title.

Honolulu, HI, 8 June 2009- At age 22, Lindsey Anne Austin made history in 2007 when she became the youngest fully-licensed Captain to win a TransPac race in its illustrious 103-year history. On June 29, 2009 she and her crew of 4 will set sail from Long Beach Harbor aboard the J35 yacht Addiction in the hopes of securing another win. Lindsey’s crew includes Donna Domasin Austin, watch captain, Richard Blackburn, owner, Mike Rush, fore deck, and Chase Hartzell, computer technician.

Lindsey’s drive to race began in 2007 after a disappointing cut from the Roy Disney project Morning Light. Disney was assembling the youngest crew to sail a TransPac race for a feature film when it was concluded Lindsey had too much sailing experience. Her cut from the top 30 finalists helped her focus in on her goals. Determined to give Disney some healthy competition and destined to fulfill her dream of racing in TransPac, Lindsey and her mother, Donna began to look for another boat to race. They found a home on the forty-foot yacht, Cirrus, owned by Bill Meyers, navigator and retired nuclear scientist.

This year, Lindsey will be acting as both Captain and Navigator onboard Addiction as it makes the 2,225 nautical-mile journey from Long Beach, CA to Diamond Head, HI. Addiction is owned by Lindsey’s stepfather and 2009 crew member Richard Blackburn, an accomplished sailor in his own right. His son Nate was Junior Yachtsman of 2006 as well as a junior sailor at Waikiki Yacht Club, where Lindsey began.

ABOUT LINDSEY-Lindsey is no stranger to the open ocean, having been raised onboard her family’s research vessel, Machias since ten months of age. Father and fellow Captain Bill Austin is a licensed1,600 ton unlimited Master Mariner. He readied Lindsey by throwing her problems to solve, while Mother and port captain, Donna Austin, would ensure Lindsey’s understanding by guiding her through nurturing steps. “Mom taught me how to look, listen, and how to be aware. At five years old, I learned how to tie knots and began operating the dinghy from ship to shore. I also baked bread for crew meals for 25 cents a loaf. My older brother Phillip, now a licensed captain with a 200-ton ticket and tug endorsement, was first mate, which is like being the Vice President. Out at sea for the entire summer, we would work with Fish and Wild Life, dive charters, and environmental companies. We would sometimes pick-up shipwrecked people and take them back to Honolulu,” said Lindsey.

Lindsey gained a huge respect for the sacredness of the environment by witnessing the repercussions of the atom bomb testing. They would collect toxic waste the military had left behind at Palmyra atoll, Lindsey’s favorite place in the world. “Palmyra was a kid’s dream come true for me and my brother Phillip,” she reminisces. “The outer reef was covered with shipwrecks from captains who did not know how to get into the channel. The lush green landscape was filled with Booby birds that would swoop down to take sardines from our hands. We loved to catch coconut crabs and baby sharks, always returning them to the sea. For me, boat life was a limitless exploration, and the best part was having your home right there with you! It was a very stimulating way to grow-up.”

In 2002, Lindsey traveled to Fanning Island to build a dock for the cruise ship tenders. “I had a crew of 10 Gilbertese working for me. It took one year to build the dock, as I had to fly in and out while trying to finish high school. Fortunately, my home schooling allowed for this flexible schedule.”

At age 17, Lindsey graduated from the Hawaii Maritime Licensing Center with a 100-ton master’s license, and a tow and sail endorsement license. She also received her radio operator’s permit. After receiving the license, Lindsey was asked to deliver a boat from Tahiti to Honolulu, which began her yacht delivering career. “This was the first time I ever did any distance sailing without my family. There were only three of us sailing a 33-foot yacht. We ran out of food during the 26-day crossing, but we did make it.”

Lindsey’s mother, Donna Austin, has a distinguished sailing history behind her as well. Donna’s 18 years of competitive sailing include 3 Asahi Cups, 1 Pacific Cup and the 2007 TransPac Cup as well as being named the 2007 Yachts Woman of the Year. “My mom has always been an inspiration to me,” says Lindsey with pride. “She has a lot of knowledge having sailed dozens of crossings. Mom taught sailing to other women and did her first open ocean race on Cirrus at 52 years of age.”

LINDSEY’S GOALS-“My mission is to encourage women of all ages to sail, no matter what their experience, background, or financial standing. I want to encourage all people to share their knowledge and ability with others. Most of all, I hope to create an opportunity for under privileged kids to learn to sail and to continue to sail,” says Lindsey.

Lindsey has been working to help bring awareness and to make this dream come true for under privileged kids in Waianae who have limited access to sailboats and sailing. The Waianae Youth Sailing program was designed to give kids a chance to participate in an activity that builds character, personal strength and encourages healthy friendships. In the past few years, they have acquired 4 boats for the kids to use but still lack a place to put the boats. Their need for a small clubhouse, a space for the clubhouse and a trained instructor is a valid need. “Every yacht club has a junior sailing program like the one I started in,” explains Lindsey, “but the Waianae Youth Program has no parent organization to lean on. They’re good kids out there and just need our help to become great sailors and great adults.” The program is geared towards under privileged youth from the ages of 8-18.

OTHER INFORMATION-The crew of Addiction are avid bloggers who love to share their journey with the world. They are one of only a few boats who keep up an active blog during the entire length of the race. Going by the nickname “Captain Lindsey Girl” (LG for short), Lindsey posts daily updates where she shares the day’s challenges, activities and a summary of meals. It can be viewed at http://addictiontranspac09.blogspot.com/

With her clear mission and continuing spirit of Aloha, keep an eye out for Addiction Captain Lindsey Austin, in this highly anticipated and coveted race.

Media inquiries may be directed to Kristin Royalty at kristinroyalty@gmail.com or at (cell) 253-722-7595.