Neville Crichton's 100-foot yacht Alfa Romeo was expected to break the elapsed-time record in the 2,225-nautical-mile Transpacific Yacht Race from Los Angeles to Honolulu early this morning.

Alfa Romeo's estimated time of arrival of 1:17 a.m. would beat the elapsed-time record of 6 days, 16 hours, 4 minutes and 11 seconds set in 2005 by Morning Glory.

After a couple of record-setting 400-nautical-mile days, Alfa Romeo's pace slowed a bit Thursday with 391 nautical miles.

Yesterday's 3 a.m. position report showed Alfa Romeo within 367 nautical miles of the Diamond Head finish.

Alfa Romeo would win the Merlin Trophy for the shortest elapsed time by a waiver yacht (exempt from limitations on moveable ballast and/or stored power) up to 100 feet, but it is not eligible for the Barn Door Trophy.

Akela leads the race for the Barn Door Trophy, which goes to the fastest elapsed time by a traditionally ballasted monohull.

Flash leads for the King Kalakaua Trophy, which goes to the overall winner on corrected time.

VOLLEYBALL

STANLEY HAS 16 POINTS IN U.S. LOSS TO ITALY

Honolulu's Clay Stanley had 16 points as the United States men's volleyball team lost to Italy, 20-25, 25-20, 25-22, 26-24, yesterday in an FIVB World League match at Hoffman Estates, Ill.

Italy and the United States have 6-3 records in World League Pool A and play again tomorrow.

Stanley, a Kaiser High and University of Hawai'i alum, had 15 kills and an ace for Team USA.

Four pool winners, host Serbia and a wild card qualify for the final round, July 22 to 26 in Belgrade, Serbia.

UH ATHLETICS

KATAHARA IS NEW KOA 'ANUENUE FUNDRAISER

'Ahahui Koa 'Anuenue, the fundraising arm of University of Hawai'i-Manoa's athletics department, has named Alvin Katahara as its director of annual giving.

Katahara previously was employed at The Honolulu Advertiser as its director of business development.

SOCCER

UH-HILO CAMPS STILL TAKING REGISTRATIONS

Applications are being accepted for the University of Hawai'i-Hilo soccer camps, to be held on the Old Kona Airport Soccer Field from July 20 to 24, and the UHH Baseball Field from July 27 to 31.

The camps are open to players from 6 years old through high school seniors. The camp in Kona costs $145 while the Hilo camp is $85. Applications are available by calling 933-3244.