Last minute preparation before sail yesterday
(Robert wrote up the following the evening of July 11th and asked me to forward it to you. It's a bit "past history" at this point, but if you can use any of it, go for it. Sorry no email until last night.)
The race begins with the first of three starts at 12:05 p.m. tomorrow. My start is the second at 12:15 p.m. It looks like conditions will be good for a clean start, although there is much speculation about what we will find once out beyond the Farallone Islands.
There is much work necessary to put on a race like this. These volunteers, like Jeanne, that have been involved with many of the responsibilities are starting to relax a bit as their event or project is completed (Note from Jeanne: We won't tell him how much more there is to do to administer the race, greet the racers appropriately and pull off the awards banquet in Hanalei. By the way, this race is run entirely by volunteers, an unusual feat for a race of this magnitude.) Last night was the send-off Aloha Dinner which celebrated the 30th anniversary of this race. It was a fun and memorable event, one that each racer will carry with him in his/her memory bank.
So nothing else is needed. Tomorrow morning Jeanne and I will be joined by a wonderful hard-core group of family and friends, many from the Twain Harte area. We will look at all the boats, take a few pictures and then it will be time for Black Feathers to be towed out (actually Robert decided to sail out...he and Harrier were the only ones who did so) of the harbor to prepare for the start.
Jeanne and I wish to thank everyone who has showed and interest in our adventure. We appreciate your enthusiasm and support.
Robert
