TRANSPACIFIC YACHT CLUB SPECIAL RELEASE
by Rich Roberts

Honolulu Hawai`i (AUG. 9, 1999)-- Doug Vann, a successful sailboat racer who contributed back to the sport as webmaster for the Transpacific Yacht Race, has died suddenly of heart failure.

Vann, 60, wore an implanted defibrillator to monitor his heartbeat. He was sailing his well-known red boat Tiare in the weekly Friday twilight races off Waikiki on Aug. 6 when he was stricken. Attempts to revive him with CPR were unsuccessful.

Vann's wife Sherry, also an avid sailor, was aboard. Services were planned for Friday, Aug. 13, 4:30 p.m., at Hawaii Yacht Club, in lieu of the usual races.

Vann created and managed the Transpac web site that exploded in popularity with last month's race. His skills at the computer as editor and artist presented colorful daily reports in words and pictures from start to finish, as well as periodic pre-race information and follow-up features.

Transpac Commodore L.J. Edgcomb said, "The loss of Doug Vann is an immeasurable blow to Transpac and sailing. At a time when mainstream media gives little attention to the sport, he provided the means for sailors everywhere to follow the race, using the technology of the 21st century. I don't know how we'll replace him."

Vann's efforts earned him the Claire Lang Memorial Trophy as the 40th Transpac's outstanding volunteer -- an honor he accepted at the awards dinner July 16.

editor's note:... a damn sad day in paradise, this is....
Aloha `Oe, Doug - you truly were a friend and you will be missed greatly...
aloha, danno