Pacific Airshow Introduces a New Opening Act:World Speed Record Ocean Cup Race on Friday, October 1
-Offshore Power Boats Race from Huntington Beach Pier Around Catalina and Back-
(HUNTINGTON BEACH, CA) Sept. 20, 2021 – The need for speed will start early at this year’s Pacific Airshow with a World Speed Record Ocean Cup Race on Friday morning, October 1. This power boat race will start at 7am and feature world class offshore race boats and experienced drivers on a 112.5-mile course that starts at the Huntington Beach Pier and heads to the north side of Catalina, circling the island’s backside before coming back to the pier.
Sanctioned and approved by Union Internationale Motonautique (UIM), American Power Boat Association (APBA), and Powerboat P1 USA (P1), the racers will compete for the Ocean Cup Rum Run trophy to be presented by Erik Nordson, grandson of legendary racer Bob Nordson who won the race nine times.
This daring and skilled group of competitive boat drivers includes world record holders Nigel Hook, Jay Johnson and Chris Reindl who reset the current record in 2020 as well as other drivers.
Spectators are invited to come watch the race from the beach or the pier (before it closes for the Airshow at 8am). For those who want an up close look at these incredible boats, all of the race boats will be on display on Main Street on Saturday, Oct. 2 and Sunday, Oct. 3.
Pacific Airshow follows the Ocean Cup race with an OC Fire Authority demo of their new night-flying Coulson Ch -47D Chinook helitanker that can carry and drop up to 3,000 gallons of fire-retardant or water. Airshow fans will be treated to six more hours of world-class aerobatics and supersonic military jets at the family-friendly, patriotic Pacific Airshow.
This year’s show is set to be one of the best in the world and will feature the U.S. Navy Blue Angels celebrating their 75th anniversary season and flying new F/A-18 Super Hornets, the Canadian Forces Snowbirds celebrating their 50th anniversary, Major Kristin “BEO” Wolfe leading the U.S. Air Force ACC F-35 Lightning II Demo squad, the U.S. Marine Corps MV-22 Osprey Demo Team, and the U.S. Army Golden Knights parachute demonstration team among countless others.
Pacific Airshow fans can use the new mobile app to learn about this year’s Airshow performers, discover major points of interest using an interactive map, purchase event tickets, and stay up to date with important event updates and announcements. Fans can download the mobile app through their provider’s app store.
Fans have five options for premium Airshow viewing this year, which can be purchased on the new mobile app and at the Pacific Airshow website.
Following the Airshow will be the inaugural two-night Afterburner Music Festival. Headlining the Friday, Oct. 1 show will be Rock & Roll Hall of Fame vocalist, guitarist, and songwriter Sammy Hagar and his band Sammy Hagar & The Circle whose members include Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony, guitarist Vic Johnson and drummer and son of Led Zeppelin, Jason Bonham. Also performing on Friday are jam band sensation Umphrey’s McGee and opening act 90’s Rock Show.
Headlining the Saturday, Oct. 2 show will be chart-topping, award-winning country music artist Sam Hunt with accompanying performances by X Ambassadors and the Grammy award-nominated Cassadee Pope, the first female winner of The Voice.
Afterburner Music Festival tickets are available online or through the Pacific Airshow app.
About Pacific Airshow
The first Pacific Airshow took place in 2016, attracting hundreds of thousands to Huntington Beach for an inspiring display of aviation skill and military might soaring over one of California’s most pristine beaches. The family-friendly airshow continues to flourish and grow under the directorship of Kevin Elliott and his company Code Four, a Huntington Beach, CA based full-service integrated experiential and creative agency. Elliott has reimagined the airshow experience with a combination of unique aviation performers, on-site hospitality and exclusive show elements that awe and inspire attendees. Spanning over three days, the Airshow features the best in military and civilian flight demonstrations from teams all over the world, including past performances by the U.S. Navy Blue Angels, U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, Royal Air Force Red Arrows and Canadian Forces Snowbirds. In only five years, Pacific Airshow has twice been named Civilian Airshow of the Year by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and was most recently named among the Top 2 Best Air Shows by USA Today’s 10Best. The event has become the cornerstone of the fall calendar for residents and visitors from as far away as Europe and Asia while delivering a more than $105 million economic impact to the City of Huntington Beach alone and even broader economic benefits to the County of Orange and Southern California.
For more information, please visit www.pacificairshow.com, follow Pacific Airshow on social media @pacificairshow and download the mobile app from the app store.
About Ocean Cup
The Ocean Cup World Speed Records competitions are designed for sea worthy, offshore craft capable of undertaking independent, extended offshore passages in unprotected waters. Unlike circuit races held within the sight of land, Ocean Cup events are point-to-point competitions in open seas. Man and machine will be taking on the forces of nature for a true test of power, endurance, and navigation. For more information, visit www.OceanCup.com
About Afterburner Music Festival
Afterburner Music Festival is bringing live music back to the Huntington City Beach for the first time in nearly a decade. The Music Festival is an epic two-night event held right on the sand at one of Southern California’s best beaches. Fans can enjoy the Pacific Airshow’s incredible aviation performers during the day and turn on the afterburners with world-class musical talent at night. For more information, visit www.afterburnermusicfestival.com.
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