Another day at the office

Finally, we have reached R2's dance floor.

Regardless of the outcome, this is why you do this. Currently under partly cloudy skies, full main, 2A spinnaker and running staysail - we are flying. The wind has been steady from 18-21 knots and at it's current direction only about 10 degrees low of Hawaii. Our boat speeds range from 11-17 knots depending on the 'ramps' and how they are set up. Ramps are waves that really set the boat in motion. Big air, fast, downwind ocean sailing is a bit like skiing moguls. It's much better to work with them and go around them than over or through them. If the ramp is right, and you pick a good course, you can rip along at 14 knots for minutes.

Several highlights today one of which is watching Lashawna drive. Literally her chin barely clears the top of R2's wheel but she can really go. She has done a lot of suffering and sailing which helps her understand how to set the boat up in the wave pattern to take and advantage of the next set - and she does. Just as in 03, 05 and 07, she currently holds the top speed.

Another cool thing this year is that Kevin brought a mini, waterproof camera that shoots video. He took some great stuff that should turn out fun. He even shot under the boat looking forward with fish eye.

Finally highlight today is Kevin took the first shower. I think I'm due but that first bucket is colldddddddd.

If this keeps up and the shift comes in, our standings should improve, but if not, it sure is an awesome sail.

Thanks,

Joby

Tipping Points

People who don't do ocean sailboat races have no idea how many things go into creating and participating in the experience. Millions! It's a bit overwhelming when you step back and acknowledge the items you do have control over and those things you truly only react or interact
with.

Tipping points occur in such small increments and set of by items that set things in action and a cascade begins - to the good or the bad.

Today we've finally had the spinnaker up which is good, but it's not the ideal angle to let R2 dance. Just the smallest things, like 2 more knots of breeze, 3 degree wind shift, 1 more person hiking 2 inches farther out on the rail, someone trimming a little extra harder as theboat begins to launch down the wave. It all matters - millions of little actions, decisions and moves.

Hopefully in the next few days we'll see if our focus with have a tipping point.

Sailing is good!

Joby

Sunday Fun

Well,

Not sure exactly how we faired as the standings are a bit whacky and
they don't seem to have our correct position. Oh well, we are were we
are.

We are all in good spirits but not into R2 conditions still yet.

Skies are cloudy and we have decent breeze.

Sure wish we had more news to report.

The only thing of interest is that due to the economy, we had no fire
works on the 4th.

Thanks,

Joby

Happy 4th!

Team R2 is having a fine day this 4th. We are having a huge party tonight. We've sent hundreds of invitations with only 5 confirmations. Maybe the directions to our home were a bit unclear.

Perhaps the dolphins will provide the light show as they look like torpedoes rocketing towards us with the fossies in the blue ocean waters.

Not much sea life to date other than the growing gamey smell on board.

Moving along ok with main and reaching jib and toying with the kite if a small shift occurs. It's about the set up and hopefully we've set up well. Hopefully the good news is that we are getting much closer to R2 time of big, solid air and surfing condition. Grinding people down is something we've always done well.

Aloha,

Joby

Another day at the office

Not sure what Kevin wrote earlier, but here is my view.

Have had a good run so far and are able to 'hang with the crowd' in less than prime R2 conditions. Those should be coming soon hopefully.

The next 24 hours will tell who made the right call for the set up of the next 24. Vegas anyone?

Been reaching along well with full main and jib top. The combination seems to work well but needs refinement of the jib lead position. Given we only sail the boat once or twice a year there is always several times when we look at each with no idea how we did it last time.

Partly sunny skies with warmer weather today.

Aloha,

Joby

First Day

What a great day for the a sail! We started the race at 1300 yesterday off of Pt. Fermin with about 14 kts of wind. We had a good first leg to the West End of Catalina. After rounding the West End at about 1600 we crack off a little and picked up some wind and about 20 dolphins that started to lead our way to Hawaii!! We are looking forward to the warmer weather and hoping for more wind!!

Aloha R2

The day before

Tomorrow is the start and this is a test email.

Joby