Sparky crossed the finish line this morning at 9:37 a.m. (and 12 seconds) PDT. Robert and I were up on the Princeville Bluff to record his finish, along wiht Becky and Joshua Seagal of Sunquest. Skip Alan/Wildflower went out to meet him, as Skip has done with many of the incoming skippers. Skippers and their wives still here in Kauai were all up at 5:00 a.m. eagerly awaiting his arrival and standing by.
As soon as Ruben crossed the finish line, Skip hooked up a tow line and started leading him in... Ruben's wonderful girlfriend, Robbie, went out in the Zodiac to meet him along with Chris/Carroll E and the camera crew, Jonathan and Christine. Mitchell was the Zodiac driver.
After he was presented with his lei, they tucked Ruben into the Zodiac and headed for Hanalei Beach where we were all waiting eagerly...along with his parents and brother...who had been flown in by Robbie as a final surprise for Ruben.
Ruben looked very tired and a bit bewildered. He has lost quite a bit of weight...I would guess 25 pounds, and his hands will probably have some scars from the many cuts, but he was in good spirits and very happy to be here. He got a cheer as he reached the shore and lots of hugs once he stepped onto land. Tears were plentiful.
This evening we will have a great TREE to celebrate his feat, complete with lots of pepperoni pizza...which he has requested. The General, Ken Roper of Harrier, is having a bar-b-que at his house after Tree. Ken Roper was dismasted several TransPacs back and made it in his last 300 miles with a jury mast. Ruben did 600 miles and was wise in his decision to contact the General for advice.
Several people who saw Ruben's makeshift mast were quite impressed with the engineering feat. I can tell you from the bluff at Princeville, he had the appearance of Huck Finn. Not an ideal sailing situation, but certainly an accomplishment to be admired by those in the know.
So, the 2008 TransPac is now officially over. All that is left is the friendships and the memories and the deep appreciation of all the support we have all received in our adventure.
Thank you.
Over and out.
Jeanne
Comments from Charlie McKelvey:
We hope you have enjoyed Robert's (and Jeanne's) solo sail!! As we blogged these comments from Jeanne's daily emails we felt we were right there with all the sailors.
Take a minute and sign Robert's guest book and thank him for such a great "true life" adventure!
For those of you who are interested: Gloria and I are leaving for Egypt on November 12 and returning December 2nd. As with our spring dental mission trip to India, we plan to blog our way through the country. If interested, check us out!
