Team Moto Email From Maui - July 16

We made it!  We sailed from Victoria to Maui…and we did it faster than any boat since 2002.  It took us 11 days, 15 hours, 30 minutes and 49 seconds. Terremoto! now joins the exclusive 'Vic Maui - First Boat to Finish' club with famous boats like: Ragtime, Merlin, Scotch Mist, Strum, Pyewacket, Icon, Grand Illusion and Chance. Terremoto! is also the smallest ‘first to finish’ boat in the history of the race. 

The race was a massive experience of physical stamina, mental endurance and spiritual significance .  It was the most exhilarating sailing any of us have every experienced as well as some of the most miserable and punishing sailing in memory. 

We are all totally exhausted…but you won’t be able to wipe the smiles off our faces for weeks.

What a tremendous feeling of accomplishment to think that for the last 12 months we have focused on this goal – the goal of bringing the right crew, the right sails, the right gear and the right advisors together to create a program that would get us to Maui…and now it has been accomplished WE HAVE SAILED TO MAUI!!!

Crew Condition

Everyone is healthy and happy.  Skyler and Alex are getting some rest while keeping their social calendars flexible to make sure and take in all the great parties happening now that we have arrived.   Skyler’s girlfriend , Heidi, came in a few days early and his mother arrives today.  Alex caught a flight back to Seattle today – poor guy is so busy.  It is great to see his new business, Ballard Sails, breaking all expectations as a new startup.  We wish Alex and Joe all the best with their new sail loft!

We took Susan to the Urgent Care Center here in Lahaina to get her ribs checked out.  Sure enough, she has multiple broken ribs.  We decided not to x-ray them because it doesn’t matter much if it is 2, 3 or 4 broken ribs, the treatment is the same.  Based on the swelling and size of the most painful area it looks like 3 or 4 ribs are broken. Her lungs are fine and that was the main concern.  The doctor gave her a long lasting injection of meds to reduce the swelling and get the pain under control.  The pain has been intense at times, but you wouldn’t know it by looking at her.  She has willed herself to ignore the pain and continue on.  We have all been impressed with how much she has managed to contribute to the race even when she could just barely sit up. 

Now that we are in Maui Susan is cutting back a little and resting her ribs... and she is all smiles – until you get too close to the broken ribs.  I got an evil-eye today when I reached my hand out to guide her around a corner and mistakenly touched the injured ribs. Ouch…they are still really painful.  So, I will be walking on Susan’s right side for the next 6 months to minimize my instinctively reaching out and touching her broken ribs on the left.

I am fine except none of my shorts fit…I lost 15 pounds on the way over.  Unfortunately, from day 2 – day 5 I couldn’t keep anything down.  I had convinced myself that I was beyond getting sea-sick.  It worked for day 1 but nailed me on day 2.  I was miserable for 4 days except when I was driving or trimming the sails.  I would have slept in the cockpit if it wasn’t constantly under water J   I have learned my lesson – my new drug of choice are those little scopolamine patches.  They are great when you put them on correctly.  There is a story about how I put the first one on incorrectly – but I will tell that one later. 

Boat Condition

The boat was spectacular.  Paul Bieker designed a high performance machine for the ocean.

Nothing failed on the hull, mast or rigging!  We had great prep help from so many and it all came together perfectly.  Our only failure was a couple torn sails and that was expected as we pushed the boat in the trade winds…all-in-all we made it through the race relatively unscathed.  We are hearing stories of competitors with broken booms and multiple-hour repairs while underway.  We had no significant boat issues. 

We will be writing more stories in the coming days.  But, instead of writing more I will push this email out along with some links to a few short video clips of life at sea on Terremoto! 

[Check http://team-moto.org for video links!]

Before I end this email I want to say how important all your emails have been to us.  We read every email.  They were the highlight of the day when we were able to get the Satellite connection to work.  We laughed, cried and listened intently as Susan or I read the emails from the companion way to the rest of the crew gathered in the cockpit.  Your support of our effort and encouragement have had a huge influence on our adventure.  We are truly privileged to have such a great foundation of friends.  Thank you!

             Scott and Susan

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