Thursday July 22 Update: Leaders Inside 500 NM

TRACKER
The leaders are less than 500nm! Report from the current pack leader, HO'OKOLOHE: "50% cloud cover ,6-8 ft seas, 66 TWD, 17knts, 1019mb. Dinner Menu Steak and Lobster. Wine Pairing: Duckhorn Merlot or Rombauer Chard. Dessert: Ice Cream and semi fresh berries. Movie showing: Old School. Estimated time of Pyewacket passing us: 7:00pm."
Other updates from the fleet -

TRIUMPH: Saw a fishing boat with 5 blinking buoys out this morning, about the same
location identified yesterday by RAPID TRANSIT. Spoke with the captain - deep nets and no issue to us. One Cabo race to go!!!(or 7.4 Ensenadas)
ROCK N'ROLL: "We passed very close to the North Korean spy ship last night (blinding lights, no AIS, no radio response, etc) at approx 27 25n, 141 18w. Had to heat up to cross their bow as they hunted us steering an erratic course. It was a fishing vessel (trawler) I was able to hail on VHF after passing. I let them know that there were other sleep deprived yachties hurtling towards them at 15 knots even more restricted in our maneuverability than they are and that turning on their AIS may be prudent..."
OAXACA: "Sailing under the full moon was spectacular and the moonset and sunrise
equally stunning. Some rain showers after midnight to clean the deck and
freshen the crew."
RAPID TRANSIT: While sailing on Strbd gybe in 24 kts true wind noticed strobe so Hit MOB at 11:09 pm. Took down our kites and turned toward strobe. Hailed on CH 16 and 71 to alert other boats of possible MOB. Did not get reply hail. 11:32pm made visual with strobe
11:44pm identified strobe as a buoy. Cleared MOB on VHF radio at 11:44pm. Hailed on 16 and 71 but did not get return reply
*******************************

More Discovery Channel - Less ESPN
A well known pro-sailor told me he was advising his clients to focus their sailing to “More Discovery Channel and less ESPN.” Sage advice from a multi-World Champion.
This will be my ninth Transpac start and I find my focus has shifted. It’s good to be back on the water again. I’m thrilled to be sailing with my band of Brothers that went through our 2019 mishap. I told the boys before the race in 2019 my only jobs were. to make certain that they got home safely to their loved ones and at the end of the race we were better friends than when we started. Erik Berzins, Ryan Breymaier, Mat Bryant, Brendan Busch, Randy Smith, John Turpin and Greg Weeger are remarkable shipmates and friends. It’s good to be sailing with them again. Chuck Clay is sailing on board good energy and we are cheering and watch their progress on the tracker.
My long time friend and mentor Justin Smart has joined us in this adventure. Justin had more ocean racing miles before he was 18 than most will have in a lifetime. He was the youngest to do the round the world race at the age of 17 with Peter Blake. We met in 1982 when he was the first mate on board Kialoa IV. Justin generously taught me how to crew on a big boat and changed the trajectory of my life forever and I am most grateful.
My sons Peter and Jack are joining us this race. The boys recently graduated from high school and I am desperately trying to slow the sands in the hourglass and enjoy every moment with them. Our family became overnight Catholics for high school purposes. The Jesuits strive to build men for others, and Sarah and are really proud of these young men.
We took delivery of the boat six weeks ago. David Happ and his wife donated the boat to the California Maritime Academy. David was in process of a full refit. We aim to complete that task I look forward to
David and his son Aiden’s return soon. There was no time to make changes to the configurations or even order sails. Covid left the boat with a fair amount of deferred maintenance.Each member of the team has worked tirelessly to prepare the boat for Transpac and I most grateful.
Saturday brought friends and family for the sendoff. We had a good start and led our group to the west end of Catalina. A few holes in our reaching sail inventory proved costly and G.I. and Pied Piper extended through us.

This morning’s rollcall had us third in class and 10th overall and fastest in our class making up ground. We crossed the halfway mark early this afternoon.
We had a special toast salute to our lost friend OEX when we sailed over the location of her sinking.
Tonight finds us playing shifts and catching squalls as we charge hard to Hawaii. Spirits are high. Everyone’s in agreement it’s a miracle we’re here competing.
Transpac is a special race. It welcomes Grand Prix sailors and family team members equally. I was fortunate to meet my wife because of the Transpac. The rhythm of the passage, the majesty of God’s handiwork and the lifelong friendships made at sea, set this race apart. If you’re so inclined I encourage you to sign up for next year’s race.
More Discovery Channel - less ESPN. Sound advice indeed.
Rock ‘n Roll the Pacific

TRACKER
The leaders are less than 500nm! Report from the current pack leader, HO'OKOLOHE: "50% cloud cover ,6-8 ft seas, 66 TWD, 17knts, 1019mb. Dinner Menu Steak and Lobster. Wine Pairing: Duckhorn Merlot or Rombauer Chard. Dessert: Ice Cream and semi fresh berries. Movie showing: Old School. Estimated time of Pyewacket passing us: 7:00pm."
Other updates from the fleet -

TRIUMPH: Saw a fishing boat with 5 blinking buoys out this morning, about the same
location identified yesterday by RAPID TRANSIT. Spoke with the captain - deep nets and no issue to us. One Cabo race to go!!!(or 7.4 Ensenadas)
ROCK N'ROLL: "We passed very close to the North Korean spy ship last night (blinding lights, no AIS, no radio response, etc) at approx 27 25n, 141 18w. Had to heat up to cross their bow as they hunted us steering an erratic course. It was a fishing vessel (trawler) I was able to hail on VHF after passing. I let them know that there were other sleep deprived yachties hurtling towards them at 15 knots even more restricted in our maneuverability than they are and that turning on their AIS may be prudent..."
OAXACA: "Sailing under the full moon was spectacular and the moonset and sunrise
equally stunning. Some rain showers after midnight to clean the deck and
freshen the crew."
RAPID TRANSIT: While sailing on Strbd gybe in 24 kts true wind noticed strobe so Hit MOB at 11:09 pm. Took down our kites and turned toward strobe. Hailed on CH 16 and 71 to alert other boats of possible MOB. Did not get reply hail. 11:32pm made visual with strobe
11:44pm identified strobe as a buoy. Cleared MOB on VHF radio at 11:44pm. Hailed on 16 and 71 but did not get return reply
*******************************

More Discovery Channel - Less ESPN
A well known pro-sailor told me he was advising his clients to focus their sailing to “More Discovery Channel and less ESPN.” Sage advice from a multi-World Champion.
This will be my ninth Transpac start and I find my focus has shifted. It’s good to be back on the water again. I’m thrilled to be sailing with my band of Brothers that went through our 2019 mishap. I told the boys before the race in 2019 my only jobs were. to make certain that they got home safely to their loved ones and at the end of the race we were better friends than when we started. Erik Berzins, Ryan Breymaier, Mat Bryant, Brendan Busch, Randy Smith, John Turpin and Greg Weeger are remarkable shipmates and friends. It’s good to be sailing with them again. Chuck Clay is sailing on board good energy and we are cheering and watch their progress on the tracker.
My long time friend and mentor Justin Smart has joined us in this adventure. Justin had more ocean racing miles before he was 18 than most will have in a lifetime. He was the youngest to do the round the world race at the age of 17 with Peter Blake. We met in 1982 when he was the first mate on board Kialoa IV. Justin generously taught me how to crew on a big boat and changed the trajectory of my life forever and I am most grateful.
My sons Peter and Jack are joining us this race. The boys recently graduated from high school and I am desperately trying to slow the sands in the hourglass and enjoy every moment with them. Our family became overnight Catholics for high school purposes. The Jesuits strive to build men for others, and Sarah and are really proud of these young men.
We took delivery of the boat six weeks ago. David Happ and his wife donated the boat to the California Maritime Academy. David was in process of a full refit. We aim to complete that task I look forward to
David and his son Aiden’s return soon. There was no time to make changes to the configurations or even order sails. Covid left the boat with a fair amount of deferred maintenance.Each member of the team has worked tirelessly to prepare the boat for Transpac and I most grateful.
Saturday brought friends and family for the sendoff. We had a good start and led our group to the west end of Catalina. A few holes in our reaching sail inventory proved costly and G.I. and Pied Piper extended through us.

This morning’s rollcall had us third in class and 10th overall and fastest in our class making up ground. We crossed the halfway mark early this afternoon.
We had a special toast salute to our lost friend OEX when we sailed over the location of her sinking.
Tonight finds us playing shifts and catching squalls as we charge hard to Hawaii. Spirits are high. Everyone’s in agreement it’s a miracle we’re here competing.
Transpac is a special race. It welcomes Grand Prix sailors and family team members equally. I was fortunate to meet my wife because of the Transpac. The rhythm of the passage, the majesty of God’s handiwork and the lifelong friendships made at sea, set this race apart. If you’re so inclined I encourage you to sign up for next year’s race.
More Discovery Channel - less ESPN. Sound advice indeed.
Rock ‘n Roll the Pacific
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