August 2, 2008

Sorry I wasn't able to get an email out to you since yesterday morning, but we have been a bit celebratory since Robert's arrival.

Robert came across the finish line approximately 7:10 a.m.

Hawaii time (10:10 a.m. PDT) yesterday morning. It was a glorious sunrise and then a tiny twinkle appeared and it was Black Feathers coming into Hanalei Bay. He was being "chased" by no wind, so he made it in just in time!
So to the ratings. After the handicaps were applied, Robert placed second in his division with the only boat ahead of him being Wildflower who won the entire race on Corrected time. AND Robert/Black Feathers corrected out ahead of Hecla, Warriors Wish, Anklebiter, NaNa, Dogbark and Dream Chaser. So the bottomline is Robert sits right in the middle of the fleet rating wise...AND as we all know he is the tiniest boat to have ever done this race. Believe me when I saw the tiny speck that came around the point into Hanalei Bay gave me true perspective of how tiny Black Feathers is out there.
We are all pulling for Sparky. Ruben was able to extend his jury mast up to 12 feet, BUT having a no wind situation he is still about 400 miles out. Yesterday he did 7 miles...as of this morning he had done 21 miles in a 12 hour period. He has plenty of food and water onboard, but the hope for his arriving this Monday is gone. There are a number of the racers and their families who will be here through the 7th, some until the 9th, and of course Robert and I through the 25th...so someone will be here to celebrate his accomplishment when he arrives. We are hopeful he will get more wind soon and come in this coming week.
Islander/Barbara Euser called her husband on her cell phone this morning at 9:00 a.m. Hawaii time as soon as she got close enough in to land to do so. She should be in by now. We hope to see her at the Awards Banquet this evening. This was to be my last TransPac update, but I know many of you want to know about Barbara and Sparky, so I'll keep you posted. Let me know if you wish to be taken off the list.
AND now to the albatross...No, Robert did not name his friend, but since it landed on the Sunsei Solar Panel and rode there the entire time, I think Sunsei would be a good handle. After a 24-hour stay, the bird took off, did two laps around the boat and then came back and settled in for the rest of the voyage. It didn't not take its leave until the Kilauea Lighthouse which is right around the corner from Hanalei Bay. Robert was disappointed to see it take flight, but did get quite a few photos.
More on Sparky tomorrow.