4th of July and All is Well

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Happy Birthday USA!  Hawaii is the last admitted state, joining our beloved union in 1959, which makes it younger than many of our racers.  Hard for millenials to imagine less than 50 states.  Maybe someday folks will say that about Puerto Rico too.

Anyway, the last 24 hours or so saw the “well-rounded” boats (read: slower, heavier) finally hit the offshore breeze and start to take off.  Indeed some have noted very, very high 20’s, as in 30 knots.  Mr. Toad’s wild ride, here they come!

The fleet is still well defined into the two groups.  The good news is both groups overall are staying pretty tight and it sounds like boats are close enough to trade tacks and entertain each other by radio.  The magic of the airwaves.

Minibar’s tracker battery has apparently died and he is reporting via alternate comms, but all is well.  Seems folks are still cold and wet and some are fighting minor nausea, but generally settling in to the routine. Sleep, eat, bash around, tweak something, sleep, bash more…

Jeanne Socrates on Nereida is reported as crossing the fleet on the way to British Columbia.  Jeanne is an SHTP veteran and the oldest woman to have completed a non-stop solo circumnavigation at 70 years of age.  Quite the intrepid and a treat to have her near for those who know or admire her.  She didn’t learn how to sail until her 50’s, so those of you on the couch reading this, there is still room and opportunity…

With all boats moving along well, stamina and sleep management will begin to factor more heavily.  We are keeping an eye on Hurricane Blas, but it is likely that even if the storm path crosses the race course, the system will be so far into cool waters by that time it will be nothing more than a rough July afternoon in the “slot” of SF Bay.  We’ll keep you posted.

Wishing all buglighters well as they dash on into the night towards Paradise.