Meet the California Condor Sailing Team
Yesterday was the first test post from the boat and today is the last post from land. We start racing in the Pacific Cup, a 2000 mile race from San Francisco to Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. 48 boats are participating, with starting times staggered; the slowest boats started Monday, July 16, and the fastest will start Thursday, July 19. The goal is to have all the boats finish sometime during the weekend of July 28-29.
California Condor was launched in 2010.
Meet Team California Condor
Getting close to the race and I want to give you a bit of background about California Condor and the team.The boat is a Class 40 racing machine with water ballast and a huge powerful rig. We are talking powerboat speeds in the right conditions.
As you can see from the interior picture below which is from the forepeak (empty hole except when at the dock is full of sails) you will find the pilot seat (the head). You can see the handholds. Since your back is against the mast and there is a small hatch above you, so you can look up the leading edge of the rig. Now there is a ride to remember going down a 15′ wave doing 25 kts at night, yehaa.
Buzz Blackett the owner is a fantastic sailor with 50 years of very successful ocean racing. First class person and a fun person to be around, always thinks crew first and does not cut corners with his boat.
Jim Antrim is the designer and navigator. Jim has a very dry sense of humor and has sailed the Pac Cup since it started in 1979—and won it twice. Jim is one of the reasons I am on the boat, thanks to his recommendation. And my buddy Liz Baylis who started this adventure for me.
Kame Richards is owner of Pineapple Sails and an excellent sailmaker. We have the best kites I have ever sailed with on any boat. His attention to detail is amazing. And best of all Kame makes me laugh out loud all the time. I really enjoy his company which is great since we are on watch together. Also he has sailed the race at least 10 times.
Brent Draney is a San Fran local who runs internet security for the grid system in Cal. Yes a very smart dude and fantastic father and another excellent sailor. His 11 year old son Jeffery sailed with us on Sunday and was fun to be around. Brent has also done the race a few times. If you know what a sail selection chart is, you would be impressed with Brent’s work. Ours is very nice and a great tool.
David Liebenberg is a local Santa Cruz 20 year old, attending Tufts and great skiff sailor. This is his first run to Hawaii. He is smart, a great listener and my other watch mate. We have been working on the boat all week together with Buzz.
Paul Cronin That’s me, the mad pirate of Jamestown (RI) sailing the Pacific. I will back up Jim navigating and steer as much as humanly possible, especially at night when the breeze is on.
So that is California Condor team. All experienced and all ready to throw the brick on the gas pedal and sprint 2200 miles to Hawaii. Think Blues Brothers and the glue on the gas pedal type of speed.
I hope to do a daily blog update on WhiteCapVideo.com and maybe even upload a daily photo, but the racing comes first so if I miss a day check the Pacific Cup website. They are tracking all the boats so you will be able to check our progress.
I have always said the first time I go to Hawaii I wanted to do it racing. It’s so great to have the opportunity to do it with a fun team.
The first boats started Monday; more will start today and tomorrow. We start at 2:45 on Thursday. Our plan is to pass all of them before the finish. Stay tuned for a fun ride.
—Paul Cronin