Pac Cup Start For E.T.
Here is a photo of our guys heading under the Gate:
We (Tom Montoya, Roger Hedin (Todd’s Dad), Peter Fisher (Todd’s brother-in-law), and Liz) borrowed Glenn and Gaby Isaacson’s boat, Q, and towed E.T. and the boys from San Francisco YC to the City Front for the start.
A group of fans led by Linda English (Tony’s wife) waved good-bye from atop the Golden Gate Bridge
They started in about 18 knots of breeze at the beginning of the ebb, so there was ebb on the shore and still flood in the middle. A few of the boats (Sapphire, Summer Moon, and Buzz Off) chose to start with reefed mains – our tough guys did not and paid a little by being over-powered off the line and out the Gate, but it moderated about ½ way to Point Bonita. We left them there with smiles and waves and motored home to warm and sunny Belvedere! By the time we passed back under the Gate, only one boat could be seen on the foggy horizon.
Tonight’s weather forecast looks pretty good. San Francisco Buoy (18 miles out) is showing about 15-20 knots from the WNW. This should hold through the night, so they should be moving right along. The sea state (waves) didn’t seem too bad, so hopefully everyone’s stomachs will be okay tonight.