July 10, 2014

One of two Moore 24s sailing in the Pacific Cup, Absinthe started Monday in the clammy fog that has persisted all week in San Francisco. Owner Dan Nitake and Tony English are her only crew. They've been checking in via email/sat phone with Kevin Jacobson, their link to land.

Day 1, Monday

Absinthe made it out from the St. Francis Yacht Club today at around 1050 to start their 2,070 -mile journey. Dan and Tony's families must have blown really hard because Absinthe was the first to make it across the starting line. We petitioned race officials to have the race called at this point – but unfortunately we were not persuasive enough. So they race on. Conditions looked good – especially from the sideline with a beverage and a nice jacket.

Navigator Tony English and skipper Dan Nitake at the StFYC dock before the start. Photo Courtesy Absinthe

Day 2, Tuesday

Absinthe is hanging tough in 4th place with the field lumped pretty tight still, and the Cal 40 Green Buffalo leading the charge. Snafu, the other Moore 24, is in second place. "We had a hell of a time getting going yesterday," reported Absinthe's crew. "Got out the Gate fine, then sailed into a big windless hole about 10 miles south of Point Reyes. Spent about six hours in that slop, but finally got southwest enough to pick up wind. Spent the night with a reefed main and eventually shifting down to the #4 jib. Still on that, but shook out the reef about 30 minutes ago. Only made about 120 miles since the start. Still foggy and sloppy sea conditions. Saw a blue whale and humpback yesterday, but nothing but jellyfish and birds since.

Day 3, Wednesday, Open Sea

From reading some of the other blogs/messages from other boats, seems like it's been a little rough for everyone. If we have any motivational speakers in the house – now is your time! Also – if you have any questions for them, or general comments, feel free to respond back as I will be sending them a message later today.

From looking at the tracking site this morning, Absinthe looks like they've made good progress and is picking up speed. The pack should start to separate a little from here – so it will be interesting. "Kind of bummed with yesterday's position report," Tony reported. "Fifth in class and 10th overall. But, it's early. Spent the day getting back up near rhumb line. In pretty good shape to set a spinnaker sometime this AM. Last night was not as gnarly as Monday night, but it did get bothersome when it got so dark that you could not see the horizon. Drive by compass and boat speed.

"Dan is feeling better...got sea sick Monday and finally started eating again yesterday. All other bodily functions are working correctly, but both of us are getting tired already. These have been two rough days."

Day 4, Thursday

Received a note from Absinthe earlier today – pasted below. Hopefully they can stay on course now that Tony doesn't have his glasses – or maybe they'll end up in Australia. It was a good thing they set sail when they did – it sounds like those starting the race the last couple of days have had next to no wind near the coast. Initial projections for these folks are that they'll arrive by Christmas. Luckily the winds pick up.

Absinthe has moved into fourth in their division – just behind the Santa Cruz 27 Blade Runner and a little further behind Snafu. Green Buffalo – which left the gates blazin' – has had their lead cut down some.

Position: N 33.11 / W 129.47

"After yesterday's position report we took a close look at the competition and what their strategies might be," writes Tony. "We figure it is early in the race yet, and we can make up time along the way if we're smart about it.

"Got a spinnaker up about noon and ran with the 1.1 oz. reacher until it wrapped around the forestay at 0500, so down it came. Too dark to try getting it back up. Right now, Dan is re-running all of the spinnaker gear and getting ready to put it back up once check-in is complete.

"First loss of the trip...my glasses fell off the hook on the chart able and are now misssing the nose pads and the lenses are so scratched I can't see out of them."

Thursday Evening: Fiji Here We Come!

Breaking news: we received a call from Absinthe via their satellite phone – apparently their laptop crapped out (should have gone Apple) so they won't be able to send email, check weather, check their position, check World Cup scores, etc. So instead they will call their trusty Net Nanny (me) to dictate communications out.

Doing like they did it in the old days – only good things can happen – after all, isn't how Columbus discovered the Americas?

– Kevin Jacobson, Absinthe Shore Crew

You can find Absinthe on Facebook at www.facebook.com/Absinthe14PC. The Santa Cruz Sentinel ran a story about them; you can read it here. For more info about the Pacific Cup, see www.pacificcup.org. Finish the story of Absinthe in the Cup here.