News
July 24, 2021
Last night was a great night of sailing under a full moon, scatterred clouds, and rolling seas, giving HORIZON ample opportunities to surf down big waves when the winds gusted above 20kts. We continue sailing with our Code 2 spinnaker with average wind speeds of around 18Kt blowing from north/northeast. We took advantage of a right wind shift around 3am to jibe and point the nose of the boat at the finish line in Hawaii, now 275 miles away. We are on final approach to the Hawaiian islands and getting ready for what will be a fairly tight finish with the lead boat in our class. They are 16 miles ahead in terms of miles to finish but we think we have better strategic position to play the wind shifts as we approach the Molokai channel, the last and usually fast leg of the race. The race has turned out to be a 2000 mile match race between HORIZON and the other lead boat in the Santa Cruz 50/52 class. If you look at the yellow brick tracks of the two boats, they are almost identical. Obviously the two navigators, on our boat Pete, and on the other boat Jeff, think very much alike, strategically speaking.
One impression we have is that a feature of the 2021 Transpac is that the foreign entries were way down due to pandemic issues, but the remaining 41 boats entering this race really had their game on. Maybe more than prior years. And the advent of more precise gribs and better availability of other digital data like yellow brick made everyone follow a pretty common track (with the possible exception of the MAXIs, who pretty much can go whereever they wish).
Wind pressures have remained strong overnight with numerous opportunites for HORIZON to surf down waves. This morning we are sailing in 18kts of breeze, under scattered clouds and strong sun when it breaks its way through the stratus layer above. Our Code 2 spinnaker survived the night even though HORIZON had a few strong gusts to 25kt+. This morning Its a beautiful day to be sailing and classic Transpac.
Yesterday we ate hot dogs with fixins for lunch, and "slaughter house 5" roundup mix of all the left over casseroles that we could find in our freezer. This morning breakfast was Jimmy Dean sausage dogs on sticks wrapped with pancakes heated up on our Force 10 stove. Yummy!
All crew are in good spirits, with no injuries other than few cuts and scrapes. All boat systems are functioning normally.
Since we are now approaching Hawaii, and expect to finish in the early morning hours tomorrow (sunday, maybe around dawn) this will be our last email update. Check the Transpac 2021 website for the finish results of what has been an extremely competitive race for HORIZON against the other lead boat. Of course a yacht race is never over until you cross the finish line and anything could happen to change the standings in the next 24 hours.
July 23, 2021
Yesterday evening we put up our Code 4 heavy spinnaker in expectation of stronger evening breezes, and the weather did not disappoint. what followed was 'rip' session in the vernacular of our watch captain steve. basically winds over 20kts, gusting to 24, running down wind in 8-12 foot seas, lots of boat surfing. Then aroud 9pm the wind shifted to east/northeast and we jibed and found the boat heading straight at the finish line (230 degrees). We had a moderately fast sail overnight in lumpy seas pushing the bow of the boat back and forth which wasnt great for sleeping. Around midnight we passed by a rain cell which warped our breeze directly out of the east at 14kts velocity for an hour.
This morning in lighter breezes we continued southwestward toward Hawaii flying our Code 2. We expect the breezes to again gradually build during the day. We are sailing in blue skies with patchy clouds and warm temperatures, classic transpac sailing. Last evening we ate a pasta chicken casserole made by Jen Bose (len's wife) which got rave reviews. The crew voted Jen MVP on HORIZON for the day.
Cris continues to do outstanding duty squirling up the mast to lock/unlock spinnaker hallyards. All crew are in great spirits and intent on taking the lead boat in our class which remains 13 miles ahead. All boat systems are functioning normally and havent had to use the medical kit except for a few bruises and scrapes.
July 22, 2021
The significant event of the last 24 hours of sailing was that blue skies greeted us this morning after an intense 10 minute rainshower at 7am. The crew on deck got a free shower with fresh rainwater! Winds continue from a north/northeasternly direction as we sail along on our code 2 spinnaker, but wind velocities have increased to 20-22 kts with a brief period of 24 kts while we were in the vicinity of the rainstorm.
Seas are now a bit bigger which is good for HORIZON because frequently it allows the opportunity to surf down a wave, thus increasing our average speed toward the mark. But one side effect of the bigger seas was that when the wind and rain increased, one rogue wave managed to splash over the top of the cabinhouse and into the aft cockpit and down an open cabin hatch. HORIZON is normally quite a "dry" boat, even in rough seas. The unwelcome wave prompted us to move the on deck sail bags (ie BALLAST) furher back to redistribute weight and keep HORIZON's bow further above the attacking waves. We are now 820 miles from the finish line in Diamond Head, Hawaii.
We continue about 13 miles behind the lead boat which is less than one hours sailing time at current boat speeds. Temperatures are warm but not overly warm except when sitting directly in the sun, which is now shining down on us with great intensity. We have our cooling fans going full force below decks to avert the eastern pacific heat and crew are now walking around without shirts. The sea breezes are still fresh and cooling.
Last night we ate tortilla chips and a great enchilada dish prepared by Jennifer Bose, Len's wife and everyone enjoyed it immensely. Great taste! And this morning cereal, yougert, coffee and milk were on offer for breakfast.
Our MVP was again Chris for going up the rig to fix a lower runner detachment to the mast which had shook loose during a jibe.
All crew are in good spirits, and getting at least some sleep although last nite was pretty demanding sailing for the rotating watch crews on deck!
July 21, 2021
As I write this we have completed 5 days of sailing and crossed the halfway point of the race! We are now 1075 miles from the finish!
We continue sailing under overcast skies and the temperatures have gotten cooler. Wind is from the North/Northeast typically 17 kts but ocasionally gusting to the low 20s. We think we are quite close to regaining the lead in the Santa cruz 50/52 class. It's very intense competition.
Last evening we ate stir fry vegetables and chicken cooked up in a skillet on our force 10 galley stove, and this morning Chez Pete prepared egg sandwhiches for us consisting of canadian bacon, cheese, english muffin, and of couse scrambled eggs. Both meals tasted really great!
A couple of the crew took showers on the rear of the boat using the boat's pressurized fresh water system. (We have a 50 gallon fresh water tank onboard). Gentleman sailing conditions compared to some of the other boats on the course.
Most of the fleets are now sailing slightly upwind of our best routing models, including the big boats, so we are staying with them rather than sailing further south, which might yield a bit more breeze will requiring us to sail further. In essence we are sailing a more direct course to the finish which I guess everyone thinks will be the best strategy given that the winds are holding up where we are situated in the isobars.
Every one in good spirits and all boat systems are working properly.
July 20, 2021
We've completed our 4th day of sailing in the Transpac Race! We are sailing with our Code 2 spinakker in 15kts of north/northeasterly breeze and overcast skies. The temperature is no longer cool but not hot either, just comfortable.
In the afternoons the sun tries to break thru with bright shafts of sunshine turning the sea a deep purple whenever it hits. There are now more frequent breaks in the stratus layer as we sail a south westernly course about 900 miles southwest of Long Beach.
The wind is out of the north/northeast and within the last few hours the wind speeds have increased a couple of knots. We are now sailing with a steady 18-20 kts and we are starting to see following seas and a few whitecaps. Winds have recently shifte a little bit left which is good for us since our routing takes us further south in the days ahead.
Our competitors in the Santa Cruz 50/52 fleet are closeby. Last nite at 1am we jibed left for 1.5 hours to stay on our routing which took us out of the lead temporarily but we think we will regain the lead today and be in a better position to take advantage of the expected stronger breezes, our new A2.5 spinaker at the ready.
Last night we had chili verde, spanish rice, tortillas, chips, and refried beans obtained from a mexican deli near John's house. The very spicy food was a big hit with the crew after a number of days of only moderately spicy casseroles.
All crew are in good spirits. Most of the guys brought the personal selection of music to play on deck. Its been a magical mystery tour of everything from reggae to rock to country to classical. Gives the older guys a chance to hear what newer generations are listening to! But the old guys still love their rock! Particulary appeciated by all was a downloaded channel on spotify called boat rock!
Chez Peter served up a great egg and sausage casserole which was tummy stuffing and tasty, sure it will carry us through dinner tonite.
July 19, 2021
This is a report of our 3rd day of sailing in the Transpac race. At 9pm last nite the wind shifted to north/northeast and we were able to put up our Code 2 (thats the big balloon sail that flies in front of the boat). Winds continue at about 15KT in a relatively smooth sea with overcast skies and cool temperatures. Our entire Santa Cruz 50/52 fleet is close to us. We are now 650 miles from long beach and about 1580 miles from the finish line in Hawaii. The sailing, sleeping and walking about the boat is easier now since in this sail mode the boat is relatively flat in the water.
Introducing Horizon's crew:
LEN (LENNY BEATS) BOSE, Yacht Broker, Experienced Sailor, 11 prior Transpacs
PETER (DONT CALL ME DICK) HECHT, Volvo 70 around the world sailor, 3 americas cups, Whitbread sailor, US Sailing team, 18 prior Transpacs
JAMIE (J-WOW) MALM, All American Intercollegiate Champion, Businessman
STEVE (SCUBA STEVE) NATVIG, Sailing Director at Cabrillo Yacht Club, Maxi Sailor, Govenors Cup Champion,
JACOB (MAUI BOY) RICHTER, Hawaii Collegiate Sailor, Race Manager for GP sailing, engineer
TAYLOR (TPAIN) SCHLUB, J24 Nationals and Worlds,J125 racer
JOHN (DONT CALL ME FISHBAIT) SHULZE, Owner, Businessman, 3 prior Transpacs
CHRIS (ROOKIE) VILICICH, Intercollegiate Racer, Kennedy Cup Champion, 1 prior TRANSPAC
Last evening we ate a green salad and meat and pasta casserole made by Melissa Olsen, Steve's significant other. Thanks so much Melissa for the great dinner! And once again this morning fried egg, canadian bacon, cheese on an english muffin prepared by our navigator Pete.
Most valuable racer for today was Chris for going up the mast to fix a broken halyard.
We think we are slowly gaining gauge on our competition, but damn, they are sailing well too! Looking for a bit stronger breeze to allow Horizon to accelerate as we continue down planned routing to Hawaii. Everyone feels good and all boat systems operating normally.