Ocean Cup Series Scrubs Southern California Event
Slated for Friday, October 4, in conjunction with the annual Pacific Airshow in Huntington Beach, Calif., the Ocean Cup Series ‘Rum Run’ has been canceled. The news was announced on the Ocean Cup website and Facebook page earlier today.
The Pacific Airshow is still on for early October in Southern California, but the Ocean Cup Series Rum Run endurance race has been canceled. Photo by Erick Bryner copyright Fast Loud Photography
“We know a lot of you have been looking forward to joining us at Pacific Airshow and Main Street block party,” the Facebook page post read. “Ocean Cup has worked to put together a top-notch event; however, due to budget concerns we are very sorry to inform you that we must cancel the event this year, including both the race and street party. Please stand by for information about upcoming events.”
The Pacific Airshow—as the announcement on the website emphasized—is still on.
The 2024 season has been challenging for the Ocean Cup series. Announced to lead off the season-opening April 25-28 Race World Offshore 7 Mile Offshore Grand Prix in Marathon, Fla., the Ocean Cup-planned 104-mile roundtrip endurance race from Marathon to Key West never materialized.
The organization did, however, successfully produce its annual Gateway Marathon roundtrip race from Palm Beach, Fla., to West End, Bahama. Loaded with drama on both legs, the 128-mile Gateway Marathon was among the strongest Ocean Cup Series events to date.
There was no lack of wild action in the 2024 Gateway Marathon. Photos courtesy of the Ocean Cup series by Tomas Velazquez copyright Tomas Pictures
Despite an effort to make the Rum Run more appealing to would-be competitors with an alternative shorter course, there wasn’t enough participation shaping up for a viable event. Reached shortly after this morning’s announcement, Ocean Cup Series general manager Janet Wilson expressed regret about having to pull the plug.
“I am bitterly disappointed and hate letting my teams down,” Wilson wrote. “As you know, the West Coast is difficult powerboating, unlike Florida, which is a haven for powerboats. It takes a special racer to go offshore out of sight of land.”
Added Allen Bellinghausen of the Patriotic Duty team, which regularly competed in Ocean Cup events, “It’s very disappointing—Huntington Beach is one of our favorites. With the different water conditions when you’re going around Catalina Island, it is always challenging.”
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