Right now, I have 8 friends sailing alone across the Pacific Ocean!! If you count all of the new friends I made at the start of the Singlehanded Transpac, the count goes up to 22! Four of these sailors are my dear compadres from The Pacific Singlehanded Sailing Association's inaugural Singlehanded Transpacific race, The Shaka Challenge. Bill, Matt, Patrice and Larry all left Marina Del Rey one week ago. They are about half way across now, and I am dying to know how they are doing!

The sendoff was a wonderful affair! It was a beautiful Southern California morning when we all gathered at Cal Yacht Club to bid them bon voyage. In attendance were PSSA club members (a few of whom are singlehanded transpacific veterans) and throngs of families and friends there to support our guys. Cassiopeia and I were lucky enough to be the race committee boat, so I had an amazing perspective as the racers sailed by us and headed off to sea. They are sailing for the island of Oahu and will arrive in a week or so (give or take depending on the boat).

I am tracking them obsessively (heres the link), and wondering all the while how they are doing. What are they feeling? How are the sea conditions? Do they find it as magical as I did? What is their favorite thing about being out there? I cannot wait to ask them all of these questions and more when they get back to LA. Meanwhile I am sending all my love, energy and support their way!