A Note From The Boat
(Our Managing Editor is the Navigator aboard US 68, "Vicki")

Greetings from the yacht Vicki at 1600 PDT Thursday July 10th!!!!

Position: 28 08'N 134 38' W
Course 250 +/-
Speed 10 knots
Wind 040 +/- at 13 -16 knots


Pleasant sailing! Moral is high despite disappointing winds and forecasts. We are making good time despite the conditions and if you check the morning reports you'll see we've put into play Big Mike's and Steiner's "slingshot" strategy. North of our competitors, we hope to capitalize on differences in wind across the track as well as less distance sailed and changes in wind direction closer to Hawaii.

Otherwise we've adopted the familiar routine of sailing at sea. The simple tasks of sailing the boat hard, the sustenance of sleep and nourishment, and the comradiere of our shipmates. Eric Doyle and Mike have kept us motivated with stories of the Volvo Ocean Race and Americas Cups! And of course, the rest of us with the somewhat routine bad joke. Tyler is doing a great job of caring for the boat. We are lightening ship as best we can which included taking our first showers Wednesday (gets rid of the extra water) . The food is fantastic with shrimp cocktails, Vicki's awesome beef stew, and a glass of wine all around for dinner Wednesday night.

We have sighted abundant flotsam in the water and the occasional flying fish. One night of squid which made quite a mess. (Sorry Jimmy I can't save one!)

We miss you all and cannot wait to seeing after our safe passage past Diamond Head!

Best to all! More tomorrow.....

(nm)