Day 1 Evening from Al

Yeah, we finally are underway.  Enough preparation and waiting even if the forecast is for a day of light winds.  Thanks Graeme and all the shore support of families, wives, boyfriends and girlfriends, now down to business.  Started in good breeze and at the beginning of an ebb tide off of St Francis YC this afternoon.  We beat our way out under the gate right behind Andromeda.  We took a few hitches north along the Marin shore and then headed west.  Winds west northwest about 15 knots and slowly easing  as we are approaching the Farallones.  Seeing a number of whales (probably humpbacks)  Having Quinoa Dish Delish with salmon, sun-dried tomatoes, almonds and raisins for our first dinner.  Matt has done an extraordinary job with meal plans and provisioning for the boats whole circuit from Seattle to SF, the race and the return trip.  Crew is all well and getting settled into watches.  We have Graeme, Eli and Nick on one watch (Bats out of Hell) and Alex, Emily and Matt on the other (Shark Attack) and yours truly as floater/navigator.  Cheers, Al