Thanks for the great info and updates John and all the update posters on the thread-
really am missing hearing your countdowns this go round ,
Sounds like they had some good shakedown weather legs to begin ,-hope the weather gods are kind to them throughout , but it is actually better to have some moderately rough early easier florida legs to let the attrition work on some that may not be fully prepaired ,-its much better than them getting up in the more severe big sea contitions in the Carolinas that have no outer reefs to break the big seas as Fla does and get into offshore or night conditions in severe weather .


Really surprised at JC and J and Steve and Kenny walking away from the several other excellent teams there ,-particularly to windward or reaching ,--both teams use more mast rake than most and are usually best downwind in medium winds ,or that is where they excelled in past years in comparison to the fleet . It may be the more extreme rake that has helped depower them in these conditions ,but hurts a little to windward as it gets more moderate and not overpowring .

What happened to David and Mike --any news on the injury ,-and why didn,t another person jump on the boat? or have they --
Hope others are o k -seems like a number of injuries already in proportion to boats entered .

- Best wishes to all teams for a great race ,adventure ,and safe journey to all .

Let me know if your ready for the 05 race John!!
all the best
Carl