Commencing Countdown

There are only a few days left before the 22 competitors in the Singlehanded TransPac start their 2,120-mile odyssey to Kauai, and they are no doubt busily putting the finishing touches on their boats and gear. Even so, about a dozen took time out from their prepartions to gather under a tree — much like the tree they’ll be meeting at nightly in Hanalei — at Marina Village Yacht Harbor in Alameda on Saturday afternoon, exactly one week from their departure date.

Jeanne Socrates, who set out on a solo circumnavigation after the 2006 race but lost her boat last month just 50 miles from her starting point, put in a surprise appearance. "I’ll be crying as I wave goodbye to them," Socrates said. But she plans to greet them all with a big smile at the finish line in Kauai.

While friends and family joined the sailors at the party, the racers quickly broke off into little groups, discussing everything from eco-friendly food packaging to weather forecasts. It doesn’t look like they’ll have much to worry about on that front — the forecast shows the North Pacific High is far enough north that they may just be able to set a rhumbline course for Hanalei Bay. Of course, anything can happen in the next five days.

For more on the race, surf on over to www.sfbaysss.org and click on the big brass belt buckle.