11/20/05

The send off today was spectacular. Marching bands serenaded us at the dock. hundreds of well wishers lined the harbor and the
jetties to see us off. Our Sousaphone-playing crewmembers performed over twenty national anthems as we headed out to the starting
line, putting their instruments away at the five minute warning. We had a light spin run down the east side of Gran Canaria and got
walloped with a 35 knot WESTERLY as we reached the south end of the island. Lots of excitement on board as we pounded thru
initially steep seas and sorted-out a mis-run main reef 2. Tonight we tacked out into the Atlantic leaving the Canaries to
starboard.

Jim