Thursday August 7, 2008 - Update!

Ruben and Sparky's response to all the well wishers:

Greetings from Hanalei Bay! We made it! At 07:15 this morning (Thursday), Sparky and I crossed the finish line. Skip Allen was there on Wildflower taking pictures and preparing to tow us in to the bay to anchor. Upon arrival, we were greeted by friends in a dinghy preparing to take us to shore. Then, to my surprise, upon stepping foot on the sandy beach, I saw my mom, dad, and brother, along with some of the other racers and their significant others. The welcoming was truly magical.

I just finished reading all the posts from the website my "home crew" put together for me, and I am so touched and humbled. Robbie, my dearest girlfriend had read a few of these while I was out, and I have to tell you that you all have given me so much strength and hope to finish what I started. I am so deeply moved by all your well wishes, and I believe in my heart that any one of the other racers would have done the same thing I did to make it through.

I haven't had a good nights sleep in weeks, and my digestive system is full of canned chili beans and crackers, so I apologize in advance if I'm getting too mushy, but I've come to the realization that this wasn't just a sailboat race, but a test of human spirit. I was able start the race due to all the support from friends and family, and I was able to complete the race due to all of you that sent positive thoughts and well wishes. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! I would also like to thank the other competitors in this race, for they have proven to be my heroes, and I'm proud to now call them my friends. This race really did change my life in so many wonderful ways.

Until next time...

Ruben and Sparky

--------

Pictures and video coming soon!

Thursday August 7, 2008

BREAKING NEWS!!!

The race that began so many miles ago has now come to a dramatic finish with the safe arrival of Skipper Ruben Gabriel on his dismasted, yet trusty twenty-two and a half foot Pearson Electra, Sparky.

Fighting through rough waves and an occassional lack of wind, Ruben and Sparky made it over 2100 miles from San Francisco Bay to Hanalei Bay Hawaii. Nearly three-quarters of the way through the race, Ruben and Sparky met with disappointment and disaster when a brutal gust of stormy winds ripped Sparky's mast in two.

Ruben recovered quickly and after a bit of brainstorming and fabulous innovation, jury rigged himself a new mast. Though still considerably shorter than the original, the new mast proved itself by carrying Ruben the final 680 nautical miles to paradise.

They were met with cheers and tears as they crossed the finish line and were towed into the cozy waters of Hanalei Bay, to be parked next to the other noble competitors of the 2008 Single Handed TransPac.

--------

More details and photos coming soon...

Wednesday August 6, 2008

8/6/08 9:10am
Latitude: 22.51min (22.85)
Longitude: -157.53min (-157.8833)
Course 240
SOG: 5.2
DTF: 95.2


95.2 miles left as of 9:10am this morning!

We've estimated arrival in Hanalei Bay very early tomorrow morning. After hanging up the SAT phone, he was going to dig into the last packet of oatmeal he's saved for this day!

This is my last log report that I'll write on his behalf. He asked me to share his excitement! He feels great and is truly enlightened by this experience.

On the home front, we're anticipating his arrival. His parents flew in yesterday and his brother will be here tomorrow. This is a surprise for him, he has no idea that they are here to greet him!

Today we're shopping for fresh juices, fruit, vegetables, pepperoni pizza and of course spiced rum. I plan to also bake chocolate chip cookies since I didn't get them in his halfway gift and have regretted it every day.

Thank you so much to the race committee and fleet for helping to arrange all the details of his homecoming! It means the world to him.

Yesterday I received a very touching description of Ruben from his dear friend DG, who was the skipper of the first boat he crewed on.

"From the first time that I met Ruben, when he presented himself as crew to work and learn, I felt his desire. This greatness in Ruben can be sensed upon the first meeting. His forthright demeanor and candid response is a sign of internal strength. He just needed to prove it to himself. He has now come through the dark tunnel of despair and dismal sights. The air of the many best wishes has reached its goal. New life has been breathed into the soul of our hero. With spirits exalted by a daily drink from the cup of his love he flies back to greetings well earned."

Thank you for all the support and encouragement for Ruben, he's almost here!

Monday August 4, 2008

All eyes are on the horizon waiting for Sparky to appear

8/4/08 9:20am
Lat: 24.10 (24.1667)
Long: -154.45 (-154.75)
SOG: 3.3
Course 240
DTF: 285

In the last couple days we’ve had reports of wind dancers all over the country. These talented dancers have generated at least 10 knots of wind since 3:00am pacific time! Ruben’s morning report indicated Sparky moving between 3.0 to 4.9 knots. The wind is still pretty light, so we’re hoping the wind dancing continues. These talented dancers used various techniques, maybe you can try them?

• Ken’s wind dance includes Freckles, his cocker spaniel who after doing the wind dance was almost hit by lightening and was followed by wind gusts and a half inch of rain.

• Tom and Susan did their wind dance with a couple glasses of wine and we're pretty sure that it worked, because they almost fell over in their enthusiasm.

• Che Che’s dance includes…inhale, EXHALE…send that wind.

• George’s wife is doing her wind dance which is adjusted to 15-20kts.

• Karen and Bill are doing their wind dance like Tom & Susan, and doing it every day until he arrives.

He can’t wait to stand on solid ground. This morning he was dreaming of pepperoni pizza, cold guava juice, pineapple, and cold, cold, drinks.

George and Gracie are still guarding over him. Last night he decided to release Kermit (the military ball reported previously) back into the great blue.

This has been quite the journey for him. In the last couple of days he’s focused on patience and hope. Last night he said he had to let go and just accepted that there was no wind at the moment, and knew eventually he would get it. He understands that his situation could be much worst, and he’s thankful that he’s okay and is finishing the race. He said this experience is very humbling for him.

The encouragement sent to http://www.sparkysfo.com/comments from people all over the country has truly been an inspiration to him. I’ve read every comment, we’ve cried, and he’s overwhelmed and thankful for the generosity, love, and strength sent his way.

The SSTP fleet is truly an amazing group of people. I’ve also shared the log reports, comments, and the support shared during tree time and the awards dinner. It means so much to him.

Please keep the positive thoughts coming his way as he completes this part of his journey and crosses that finish line!

Thank you from Ruben’s shore contact, Robbie

Sunday August 3, 20008

9:00am 8/3/08
Latitude: 24.39min (24.65)
Longitude: -154.03min (-154.05)
SOG: 1.8
Course: 230
DTF:333

10:00pm 8/3/08
Latitude: 24.28min (24.4667)
Longitude: -154.28min (-154.4667)
SOG: 1.8
Course: 230
DTF: 308

Yesterday Ruben made 39 miles. Even with no wind he's still chipping away! He's fine and sounds like he's just taking the wind as it comes. In the last couple days he's read two books and beginning his third now.
Yesterday's log included a link to Ruben's comments site and the support came pouring in! Last night during the awards ceremony the fleet also did a cheer for Ruben! This was all shared with Ruben today and he was so touched.
GO SPARKY!!!

-hc

Saturday August 2, 2008

9:00am 8/2/08
Latitude: 25.04min (25.0667)
Longitude: -153.27min (-153.45)
SOG: 1 Knot
Course: 270
DTF: 372


The last couple of days have been full of ups and downs. Thursday there was very little wind which provided the opportunity to deploy Operation Sparky Phase 3. He began using the top portion of his mast, which was about 12 feet tall (much larger than Phase 2), and attempted with all of his strength and ingenuity to re-step it. After agonizing and struggling for hours in trying to get it up and secured, he realized that he needed to make it a little shorter. So he removed 2 feet from the bottom and, after blood, sweat, and tears he successfully secure it. Now he can use his existing lower shrouds, forestay, and a halyard for the backstay. In addition, he now has running halyards. The plan (once there is wind) is to continue using his twin headsails and fly an asymmetrical spinnaker. The rig is also much more stable.

Yesterday, he only went 7 miles in 12 hours, Ruben defined this as torture. The good news was a rain shower in the afternoon, which did not provide any wind, but did give him the opportunity to pull out the soap and take a shower.
He’s also still enjoying the company of George and Gracie, the two fish on his bow reported earlier. They are still with him after 3 days. His father has called them his guardian angels.

The good news Thursday was the lack of wind and small seas so he had the opportunity to accomplish Operation Sparky Phase 3 – but enough already!!! It’s now day 3 with no wind!

PLEASE - everyone reading this, go outside, take off your shoes, flap your arms, twirl around, and do a wind dance for Ruben and Sparky, it would mean the world to us!

You can also send encouragement and support to Ruben and Sparky by going to http://sparkysfo.com/comments/.


-hc

Friday August 1, 2008 - AM Report

8/1/08 8:00am
Latitude: 25.17min (25.2833)
Longitude: -153.00min (-150.00)
SOG .8 knots
Course 240
DTF 400

Aloha everyone! Ruben's spirits are up up up! He's completed phase 3 of his jury rig which we will have more details on soon. He has really made another accomplishment with this new rig.

There is NO WIND!!! His SOG is .8, but he is going to take full advantage of it today to fish and shower - thank goodness!!!

8/1/08 - A view of the fleet anchored in Hanalei Bay...keeping a spot warm for Sparky!

-hc