Update from the boat - day 4

Hello All,

Just beginning day 4 of the PacCup. We feel like we made some progress over the last 24 hrs, finally getting the boat up and sailing rather than drifting around the ocean. Winds are still variable, so until the weather settles a bit more, we expect there will be more fluky winds. On the plus side, it has gotten a bit warmer over the last day. Although everyone is still in full foul weather gear, long underwear, etc., getting out of a warm bunk at 3AM to begin your shift isn't as bad as it used to be.

Last night we caught a bird! There were 4-5 birds circling around us for most of the night, no doubt curious about what we were doing out here so far from shore. On a couple of occasions, we heard a bird smack into the sails. After one of these times, Andrew heard a rustling sound down by the boom, and found that one of the birds had trapped itself between the boom and the mainsail. It managed to free itself just as he was heading up to help it.

We saw one or two boats during the day and 2 boats close behind us during the night. However, they were nowhere to be found at dawn. I think one of them was Megahurts, but we will find out at morning roll call. I think Nozomi has found a different part of the ocean to sail in after yesterday's "waffle scare".

The boat and crew are doing great, with no damage to either.

Keep thinking wind!
Bob