HONOLULU, HI — The 2025 Transpacific Yacht Race is all wrapped up and the bow on top was swapped for a landmark achievement: skipper and owner Alli Bell, aboard her Cal 40 Restless, won the prestigious King Kalakaua Trophy for the fastest overall corrected time. Bell’s performance, with a corrected time of 8 days, 12 hours, 5 minutes and 49 seconds, makes her the first woman in the 119-year history of the race to win the event’s top handicap honor.
Todd Rasmussen image
Bell, who also serves as Vice Commodore of both the Transpac Yacht Club and the San Diego Yacht Club, sailed Restless across 2,225 nautical miles from Los Angeles to Honolulu, mastering a race known as one of the world’s premier tests of offshore navigation and seamanship. Her victory capped the 53rd running of the race and set a new milestone for female skippers.
Bell credited the accomplishment to the efforts of the entire crew aboard Restless. The team’s preparation and execution contributed to their success, which included not only the overall corrected-time win but also victory in Bridger Insurance Division 9. Additionally, navigator Graham Bell was recognized as the fastest navigator in the division.
The race, organized by the Transpacific Yacht Club and first run in 1906, spans 2,225 nautical miles and has long been regarded as one of sailing’s most demanding ocean passages. The event celebrates both speed and seamanship, with trophies awarded for fastest elapsed time as well as corrected-time victories under the Offshore Racing Rule.
Nicole Patterson image
In addition to Bell’s historic win, several other standout performances were recognized during the race’s three awards ceremonies held July 15, 17, and 19 at various yacht clubs in Honolulu. These gatherings celebrated top division finishers, navigational excellence, and noteworthy achievements.
Among the notable results, Bryon Ehrhart’s 88-foot maxi Lucky claimed the Barn Door Trophy for fastest elapsed monohull time, completing the course in 6 days, 6 hours, 23 minutes and 50 seconds. John Raymont’s Fast Exit II won the Merlin Trophy for fastest elapsed time by a conventional monohull, finishing in 7 days, 15 hours, 39 minutes and 39 seconds. Both teams exemplified the race’s spirit of high-performance offshore sailing.
The race also recognized other top performers for corrected-time excellence. Jack Jennings and his crew aboard Pied Piper took second overall corrected time and earned first place in Whittier Trust Division 3. Raymont’s Fast Exit II also earned third overall corrected time and won Mount Gay Division 2.
Further division winners included Tom Holthus and BadPak in Boatswain’s Locker/Yanmar Division 1, Don Wilson and Convexity2 in smithREgroup Multihull Division 10, and Andrew Picel’s Arsenal in Garmin Division 6. The doublehanded Suntex Division 7 was won by Fred Courouble and Charles Devanneaux aboard Rahan, while Mike Price and the crew of Macondo topped Pasha Division 8.
Sharon Green image
The race’s structure included 53 boats divided into nine monohull divisions and one multihull division, showcasing a variety of boat designs and sizes. The fleet’s diversity ranged from cutting-edge racing machines to traditional cruiser-racers, underscoring Transpac’s reputation as an inclusive test of offshore sailing.
Throughout the competition, navigators were also honored for their skill and precision. Stan Honey, one of offshore sailing’s most accomplished navigators, guided Lucky to its elapsed-time victory and was recognized as fastest elapsed-time navigator. Graham Bell’s work aboard Restless earned him both the Chuck Ullman Trophy for fastest corrected-time navigator and best navigation in Division 9.
The race’s long-standing emphasis on seamanship and tradition was reflected in additional awards. The Aloha Class, honoring cruising-style boats, was won by Bell and her crew aboard Restless, reinforcing her achievement as both fast and efficient. Other special trophies honored exceptional performances, including the Eugene Overton Trophy for top Aloha Class finisher, the Jensen-Lapworth Trophy for fastest Cal 40, and the Don Vaughn Trophy for outstanding crewmembers, awarded to Restless’s Eric Heim and Lucky’s Matt Beavis.
Notably, the 2025 edition recognized teams for diversity and perseverance. The Pacific High Trophy was awarded to Rhiannon for taking the farthest northerly route, while that same boat also received the Tail-End Charlie Trophy for being the final finisher. The Ilio Aukai Trophy was presented to Heroic Heart for having the oldest average crew age.
Credit: TJ Thran; Still from video by TJ Thran
Transpac’s history dates back to its first running in 1906, when Clarence Macfarlane led a small fleet from Los Angeles to Honolulu. Since then, it has grown into one of the most respected offshore yacht races globally, renowned for combining tactical navigation, weather strategy, and endurance. Its 53rd edition continued this legacy, highlighting new talent while honoring the traditions and challenges that define this classic ocean crossing.
For Alli Bell, this year’s race represents not only personal triumph but also a broader step forward for inclusivity in offshore sailing. Her victory stands as a landmark achievement in the history of the sport and underscores the growing diversity within competitive sailing. Bell’s dual leadership roles at the Transpac Yacht Club and San Diego Yacht Club also position her as a key figure in shaping the future of yacht racing on the West Coast.
The closing awards ceremony at Kaneohe Yacht Club on July 19 capped the week’s celebrations, bringing together skippers, crews, families, and supporters to recognize all participants for their accomplishment in completing one of the world’s most challenging races.
The Transpacific Yacht Club extended congratulations to every skipper and crew that completed this year’s race and encouraged participants to return for the 54th running in 2027. Complete race results, division standings, and award details can be found at transpacyc.com.
