Day 10 Update

Oh OOOhhh.. What a night (Oh, what a garden of delight).

If you saw our progress on the standings this morning, you probably can guess we had a good day yesterday. We did. We also had a great night last night. Really words can't describe, but let me try.

It was what we came for. The moon was out, we were headed straight for Diamondhead and we were surfing down 15 ft seas. About 20 - 25 kt windsand R^2 just dances. The boat starts off at 12 kts, picks up a wave and suddenly you're doing 15... then you come up on the wave in front, punch in with the spray going both ways and over the deck and you just keep going faster. 17kts? Sure... sometimes 20... feels like you've broken the sound barrier and speed no longer matters. After a while a lull comes or you bounce of a wave a little hard so you slow down.... Then you start all over again. You could spend millions to get a ride on a rocket, and not get the experience we had...

Dr. D.

Day 9 Update

We had a wonderful sail today. Some sun, some squalls, great wind and Reinrag^2 is doing her thing. (In fact, a bit more wind than the models predicted for today... hope it lasts.) We're hoping to see the moon tonight as we crash along in some nice big seas. The mood on board is high (as always) but there is a creeping bit of tension as we get closer to the final goal and we're all very into seeing it through. (If the wind keeps up, Joby and I may be banished permanently to "Fatties' Hideout" on the transom.) Thanks to all the encouragement we've been getting... we wish you all could be here to enjoy it (also we could use a little more weight on the rail.)

Good night all... getting hard to write surfing at 17kts.

Data

Day 8 Update

(To the rhythem of Lionel Richie..) "All night squall, all night, ALL NIGHT SQUALL, all right!"

Things are working out pretty good on the happy boat Reinrag^2. Lots of you have been asking for updates on the minor details of life. For example, my shoes. They were incased in plastic and set on a shrine next to the steering. We were hoping that the squeaking mouse would leave the rudder post and eat them instead, given how "ripe" they had become. No luck though. The squeak was really beginning to get worrisome. We tried using a bunch of McLube on it, but mouse just seemed to get angrier. But T-Gar had an inpiration yesterday and decided to drown it with water. Worked like a charm. The mouse is dead. Oh and the alternator problem? Fixed too, although we did run the engine a bit extra long while it wasn't working and we might be a touch low on diesel. More importantly, Joby took a shower yesterday. (The rest of the crew is on deck now, looking like they might want to force the issue with me.) Scott, Joby has also taken a commanding lead in the launched cliff bar comp. Not for lack of trying mind you.

If the Cipango boys are listening... we wish them luck on "consolidating" their position. They are definite candidates for board membership at UAC. And cheers to the guys on Horizon.

Aloha... all night long...

Dr. D>

Day 8 Report

We had our halfway party yesterday with lots to celebrate. Still going to Hawaii fast and trying to get faster. Can't ask for better weather position with just the right amount of wind to let R^2 fly. Saw another boat again for the first time and traded some jibes. Got our first glimpse of the moon. And all the while lots of great (and not so great) jokes and laughter. We're sorry that you guys can't see us on the tranponder anymore. Just imagine us jamming ahead...

Dr. Data.

Day 7 Update

I think this must be day 7. We're rocking out here. We had some alternator problems so we may not get another chance to update because we are conserving batteries for emergencies. More later... we are all having fun and we're having our 1/2 way party later today (1111 miles to go.) We had our first flying fish on deck, and being a gift from the sea, I ate it. (Protein, yum!) Meanwhile, the rest of the crew voted my shoes off the boat. (So, now they are back in the stern feeding the sick mouse that is our steering.)

Dr. D

3 pictures for you

Day 4 pictures

Day 4 Report

July 15, 2007, 1200 PDT
26* 00.5' N
126* 43.9' N

As only a junior employee in the newly chartered "Ultimate Arrogance Corporation", I would apologize for not reporting our progress before today. But, apologies are strictly against company policy; as we say at UAC, "What can you do for us today?".

Truth be told, we are just now settling down into the Transpac mode. Yesterday saw us "turn the corner" put the big chute up and start the classic slot car race across the Pacific. The boat is getting drier and the humor a lot less so. The great sandwiches we had for the start ran out yesterday, and we had our first (freezed dried) hot meal. Joby reports 2 for 3 so far on the BM report. (I myself have my first appointment on the jet wash for later today). J/Girl who previously detested Red Bull, now converted, exclaims happily after learning of Taursin, "I just **** a bull!" Capt. Ron just started a rush to the bucket showers at the back of the boat. (And the breeze is already fresher). T-Gar had his first snake session to the back to check on another squeak in the steering.

The weather has been beautiful. Not quite windy enough, but pretty great sailing. Last night it warmed up a little and the east coasters had shorts on. Lots of clouds last night, but we did have a nice open patch of stars overhead with no moon. About 2300, a meteor, like a great green and red ball of fire exploded over our heads and lit the sails and the sea like a flash bulb. Seems like a good omen to me.

Signing off for now.

Data (aka Darren).

Update from PDX

Weather at home is good, no breaking news storys, Miller landed the GVRD Compactor, Wilson pulled in another Conair machine M70 I think, all is well at SSI.

 

Push hard and fast, don't let up,  grind through every wave, take an ice cream bar out of the freezer, enjoy a routissere grilled chicken with mash potatoes and fresh vegetables.d

 

GO r2!

Joby - take a good stern pulpit shot for us.