Pass the Baton?

2013JUL21 - 1900PDT

I have not heard much back from the boat lately and, as is my custom, was about to start making stuff up!

But this just in

Recently they describe the sailing as:

"We are in the "one day is pretty much like another fucking perfect day out here now. Last night the sailing was great at we are very nearly at a full moon now. The moon sets at about 6:00 am boat time and the sun rises an hour later. Last night chuggy commented that he had the moon rising off the stern and the sun setting off the bow. Pretty fucking nice. 

We just finished our last happy hour consuming the last measured dregs from the last plastic bag. I have completed the finishing paperwork and we just need to keep sailing to get to our 100 mile report. We are very much hoping that happy hour tomorrow will feature cold beer and related amenities. This has been another great crossing and I think that we are all feeling that this epic project that began a decade ago on baby dart with Dave Smiff and Andrew is now drawing to a natural close. Time to let these young Fucks take over the racing mantle.

Hope this finds you all well

Cheers from Warrior!"

It's normal for a sort of melancholy to fall over the crew near the end of a crossing.  As the end of an epic adventure approaches reflection on the preparation, the gruelling racing and time away from loved ones all begin to take their toll.  With aching joints and diaper rash it's even customary to speak out loud of making room the a younger generation of sailors (representin onboard) to pick up the baton.  But the Transpac Organizing Committee is cunning and arranges several killer parties at each of the three prominent Yacht Clubs on Oahu - not even to mention the Awards Banquet.  By the time the crew weathers those shoreside storms they don't even remember their own names but all the trash talking that occurred remains and is like a cheque that has to be honoured when, as they cross the finish line, that two year clock starts ticking again!

I am expecting a sunset finish tomorrow and that my next report will be from the Ala Wai.