33N by 129 W. -- Weather has filled in nicely, as I mentioned before. The skies are still grey, but we are making a good 7-8 knots pretty much towrd Hawaii, and that is great. Oh sure, we are near the back of the fleet, but we are gaining on those rascals. See, they went north when we went south, a bit, so now we are going west when they are going southwest. All going to converge in a big mid pacific party.

We hope.

The food has been great: connie sent Chicken Legs and Lasagne, and we started in on NOelle's Mac and Cheese, with visions of Pork Chops and Applesauce in our heads for tonight. We have learned to eat with a sporf, which is a combination spork and knife. Sporf. It's what's for dinner.

From an upcoming press release:

At the daily "Children's Hour," a free-format radio discussion time among the racers, spirits were high as a good breeze had filled in, allowing boats to proceed toward their chosen waypoints with speed. "No Ka Oi is Hawaiian for 'perfectly trimmed spinnaker'" announced a spokesman for No Ka Oi, a Gibsea 43 from Brisbane, CA. A bit later, Tiki Blue (Beneteau 423 from San Francisco) announced the loss of a pair of spinnakers to wind perhaps a bit too boisterous for the choice of course and sail. Repairs are underway.

Also underway, according to reports, are repairs to two heads (marine toilets), two radios, and at least one generator. Unlike in-the-bay racing, ocean racing over long distances calls not only for superior tactics and boat handling skills, but also equipment repair skills, for broken gear will not only slow a boat's progress but also will impair crew comfort and possibly safety. Racers carry a range of backup and overlapping safety gear to assure a safe - if not always swift - passage.
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