Day One

Aloha Family and Friends,

Tuesday, July 15th at 1:45 p.m., the race start, out the "Golden Gate", heading towards Kaneohe Bay, Oahu was exhilarating! "Urban Renewal" was third of eight under the bridge. Leaving San Francisco was bitter sweet. Saying good byes to loved ones and our great friend Larry Sweet, was emotional.

Larry, on Monday, July 14th while stepping on the boat, tripped on a life line, stumbled, lacerating his cheek and severely bruising his ribs. ER diagnosis, "no Pacific Cup for Larry this year". Larry you are missed. Ellis Abram, who helped on the delivery, is now with us on the return. Thank you, Ellis. We have just completed our first 24 hours. Weather was cold and gray, but the wind and ebb tide proved beneficial.

Distance to R2 bouy, just outside Kaneohe Bay, 1928 nm.
Course: 237 degrees
Position: N36*54 W124*43
Speed: 7.2 nmph
Swells: 2-3 meters, choppy seas
Wind Direction: N 10-15 knots

Last nights dinner, salami sandwiches. Oh yeah, another reason to miss S.F., "the food". We used the Single Side Band radio, to successfully transmit our position to the race committee this morning. Much thanks to Ron Dubois and Jim Young and many, many others, for their help!!!

Day One complete and still "Sailing Safe",
Crew of "Urban Renewal"
John, Don, Rocky, Les, Randy and Ellis