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A Big Step
Bob Hettiger (paraplegic), crew member of
B'Quest applying hull stickers before Transpac
2003. Note the SA logo! Photo By: Greg Scott |
As
you know, the disabled sailors of Challenged America successfully complete
the recent Transpac aboard their Tripp 40 B'Quest. Crew member and co-founder
of Challenged America Urban Miyares filed this post race analysis. The
Ed
Aloha
Team Challenged America -- Sponsors & Supporters and Friends of Challenged
America::
Just returned from the 42nd Transpac and it was truly a life changing
experience for all of us on Team Challenged America. Thank you so much
for making this dream a reality...and helping us make Transpac history.
In the 106 year history of the Transpac, Challenged America was the first
racing team of sailors having significant disabilities to compete.
Race Synopsis: The 2003 Transpac had a bit of everything.
From a whisper of wind at the start (2-4 knots), to wind gusts of 35 knots
and more off of Diamond Head. Seas were generally in the 3 to 5 foot range,
but Pacific rollers in the 8 to 10 foot range were common...with 12 foot
sets on our approach to Hawaii.
Seasickness
was probably our number one biggest challenge, followed by fatigue --
sleeping in four (or less) hour shifts took a while to get use to.
Damage. We blew out two sails -- our favorite light/medium #1 jib and
our new .3/4-oz. spinnaker. The spinnaker pole carriage-stop exploded
on one jibe, and we lost our spinnaker topping lift just a few miles from
the finish. The boat is a bit bruised but sound.
Speeds. It is estimated that we hit speeds of up to 15 knots or more as
we surfed down waves, but averaged around 8 knots overall. Mileage was
in the 175 to 190 per day (GPS) range. What a race horse B'Quest is.
Course. This being a first-time across-the-Pacific (i.e., Transpac) adventure
for all of us, we decided to take a conservative, rhumb line course to
eliminate traveling a further distance than needed. Although there were
more winds south of our course, overall we are pleased with the route
we took. It took us a little more than 13-days to reach Hawaii.
Summation. Would we do it again? Each crew member would probably have
a somewhat different response. But all will agree...it was an experience
of a lifetime. For me...can't wait until the next race across the Pacific
and seeing more sailors with disabilities crew on other sailboats in the
Transpac.
Arrival in Hawaii. We wish everyone could have been there when we arrived
in Hawaii. According to many (including sailing writer Rich Roberts and
members of the Transpac YC), the Transpac had never seen the media attention
as that given to Team Challenged America. We were covered by every local
news station and most of the print media. Included were writers from the
Los Angeles Times and a film crew from a San Francisco cable television
station. We were active with on-air interviews and press conferences for
the entire week after our arriva in Honolulu.
Upcoming Events.
1. Sunday, August 3rd, 5:30 PM. Steve Rock, owner of Fiddler's Green Restaurant
on Shelter Island, will be hosting a "Welcome Back" cocktail
party for Team Challenged America...its Supporters/Sponsors on Sunday,
August 3rd, at 5:30 pm. Hope you can make it. We're planning on showing
some of the video of the Transpac and Team Challenged America then.
Please RSVP by July 31st to JoAnn at 858-484-2428 (leave a message on
the answering machine with the number in your party) or email me at port@challengedamerica.org.
Steve needs to know how many of you will be there so there will be enough
food on the buffet for everyone.
2. Team Challenged America will be featured on an ESPN2 Special on Transpac
2003, aired this September. Will let you know the dates and times later.
3. We will soon have the complete video about Challenged America and the
Transpac available, along with newspaper clippings, for viewing at our
Sailing Office on Shelter Island.
B'Quest is now being delivered back to San Diego and should be at the
dock by mid August. Volunteers will be needed to do repairs, etc., to
get her back into shape and ready for upcoming sailing and racing opportunities.
Let us know if you can give us a hand.
On behalf of my team mates and everyone at Challenged America, I want
to thank you (Mahalo) so much for all your support and encouragement...and
being a valuable member of Team Challenged America. History was made in
sailing, thanks to you.
Please visit the newly updated Challenged America website at www.ChallengedAmerica.org
and click onto "Race Sponsors" to see your listing and that
of fellow Team Challenged America supporters in the community.
If you would like to have a Team Challenged America crew member speak
about the Transpac experience for your yacht club, business, group or
organization, please contact Greg Scott at 619-523-9318.
See you at the docks or on the water.
Best
wishes,
Urban Miyares
co-founder Challenged America
port@ChallengedAmerica.org
www.ChallengedAmerica.org
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