TransPac Day 2

From where we left off yesterday we were rounding Catalina Island with the front runners in our class; Pyewacket, Grand Illusion, and OEX. The battle rages on. Pyewacket, Grand Illusion and OEX are in a neck and neck battle, all within sight of each other. Meanwhile we were able to execute our strategy for the first 36 hours of the race exactly as we planned. We came
around Catalina Island at a heading of 215, while the 'pack of three' maintained a slightly higher line. This places that group about 20 miles to the north of us. While the 'race viewer' might show them as closer to Hawaii, and thus on the top of the leader board, we are all within about a
mile of each other, as I score the race. It will be interesting to see how things play out. QuickSCAT images show lighter wind directly in front of usand to the north. This is also reflected in some of the numerical models that I am reviewing. Like the analogy of the runners on the track that I referred to in a blog from just before the race started; We will sail a bit
longer distance (like running around the outer lane 6 on a track) than the group of three to the north (that will run on the inside lane 1). Our plan is to stay in higher wind speeds and in faster true wind angles that those to the north of us. If our plan is correct we will start to reap the rewards over the next 72 hours...

Even though we are only 36 hours into the race we've already had plenty of adventure. The sunny skies that we left under, as we departed Long Beach yesterday, have turned to complete cloud cover today. We left the dock wearing shorts and a t-shirt, while today we have been bundled up in all the clothes that we brought on board. We had to make a repair in our mainsail,
which resulted in sailing with only a headsail, for about an hour last night. We have seen dolphins, flying fish and sun fish swim by our boat. And, I am very happy to report, that we have been eating like kings. Sammy Heck, the boat's captain, has put together a full-on royal menu. We had Honey Nut Cheerios swimming in ice cold milk for breakfast, peanut butter
and concord grape jelly sandwiches for snack, turkey-tomato-avocado sandwiches for lunch, and a three course dinner of soup, salad, and beef stroganoff over rice. Maybe I'll have some grapes or an orange for desert. Thinking practically, Sammy packed the boat with 'real food' for the first 5 days, where extra 'cargo' on the right side of the boat makes us faster. Once we get to the last half of the race, where being as light as possible is advantageous we will supplement with freeze dried food.

Brack Duker, the owner of Holua, has put together an all star cast of characters, and we are having a tremendous time out here. We are racing hard just as hard as we are laughing, so I'd say we have the trim of theboat just about right.

-Matt out
29 44.2N
123 29.5W