Race Day

Today is the day; it is the start of the Baha Ha Ha race down to Cabo San Lucas (http://www.baja-haha.com/). This is what we have been working towards (as the first part of our journey) and by mid day we should be in Mexico (well, Mexican waters, that is).
As we head out of the harbor towards the start line, we have just a couple of chores left to do- fill up on water and get gas for the dingy. No problem, as we are on time for the 11am start, so we thought.
The autopilot is not working. “oh shit”. As our Capitan is on the phone with Raymarine IT long distance desperately trying to repair it before we head off for 11 days, we are dodging war ships, ferries and cruise lines, in what is, one of the busiest harbors on the West coast. It was cool to be that close and see the ships in detail, but better, when we were out of the shipping channel and not getting honked at. Alas, no luck and we must start the race without it. We are now about 45 minutes behind the lead boats at the start.
As things start to calm down, Brian makes up a watch schedule. We will all have to take a turn at hand steering the boat. This is not like before, when we motored down the coast, this time the sails are up and so must your concentration be.
It’s 5pm and the beginning of my 3 hour daytime shift. Wow, this is hard. It is fairly windy, at 15 – 20 knots, and a couple of swells coming from different directions are making it hard to control the helm. The waves really are pushing us around, which you have to account for by steering. Laurie, I have a new respect for you! Top that off, with me now being sea sick! Yes, those 4 beautiful days in sunny San Diego on flat, serine waters, ruined all the acclimation of the rolling waves coming down the coast. It’s okay, I am so stressed out about steering the boat, keeping the wind in the correct direction so I don’t jibe the boat, that I don’t have time to puke. Fresh air is good and my Dramamine should kick in anytime now. All I can say is, I’m gonna be ripped (strong lean arms), steering is a workout. Off to bed for me (with my gallon zip lock just in case I get sick- joy), and FYI, I am not looking forward to my night watch.
O snap! Ginger snaps that is! I need to wake up and feel better (which I already do, no kitty puke for me). Ginger is great for both. It’s 2am and the beginning of my 2 hour night shift. It is dark, foggy, and there are other boats all around us which I can not visibly see (only know because of the radar). Brian tells me not to worry about them, that we are all going relatively the same pace and won’t run into each other. Still hand steering, and the wind has not really let up. It is pretty scary at first. Then, I finally find my groove and Brian takes a nap (topside) next to me as I finish out my shift.