July 15:  Jim and I are fine and happy, but have been and will continue to be working overtime.  Simply no time to blog.  Sorry.  What was I thinking??  Anyway, will blog with a full report after we finish.

July 9:  Wind finally filled -- lot's of it.  We set the big spinnaker at 3:00 AM and headed south.  Wind built to 25 knots.  We were just ripping along.  Wind moderated to the teens for most of today and is supposed to drop further tonight and tomorrow morning.  Life has been very busy with driving (auto pilot is not in top form), sail changes, eating, and sleeping. But we are having a ball, and playing a patient strategy that won't pay any immediate benefits.  We'll see . . . .

July 8:  WHERE . . . is the #*&$+! WIND?  We got a good start, and passed all of the boats that started in the two divisions ahead of us by the Farralons.  Then ran out of wind.  Went about 20 miles in 19 hours.  Breeze is starting to pick up.  We're looking our ticket into the synoptic (ocean) wind.  Saw thousands of Sailor-by-the-lee jelly fish, and had lots of fun watching a pod of whales very close.  A calf was particlarly interested in our boat, with his mother in watchful pursuit.  More tomorrow.

California Condor Checking In

Hello big  bird watchers:  We leave tomorrow (Tuesday).  Can't get more excited.

Buzz and Jim

Two days before start.

Return from Berkeley Marine Center

We hauled out to put final touches on the bottom, among other boat refinements. After a few days in the boatyard, we motored home to Richmond YC on a windy San Francisco day.

                                                       

Welcome to the official California Condor Pacific Cup site!

Follow the action here: Yellowbrick Tracking - Pacific Cup 2014

Stay tuned for more photos and updates as the race gets underway!