Is Willow Wind About to Make Its Move Again?

In the previous Transpac in 2001, Wendy Siegal's Cal 40, Willow Wind, won the Aloha division on corrected handicap time but wasn't a factor until midway of the race. Then, following a roundabout but faster course plotted by Siegal's boyfriend, Duncan Harrison, Willow Wind surged to victory.

Wendy Siegal (left, on rail) is last in the Cal 40 class she organized, but the crew's spirits remain good, she reported. (photo taken before the start)

This time the boat is lying low again, so to speak, clearly farther south than anybody else and last among the 10 Cal 40s that, ironically, Siegal talked into doing the race.

Siegal e-mailed from the boat Saturday, July 5: "Spirits on Willow Wind needed some uplifting since we still show as last place in the Cal 40 fleet and not much better in the other fleets. However, the fat lady hasn't sung yet. For our holiday meal, we had BBQ filet mignon, fresh corn on the cob and, as soon as the ice cream gets soft enough to serve (if you can believe that ---we don't have refrigeration), we'll have ice cream and brownies for dessert."

But is Willow Wind getting ready to make its move? She wasn't saying.

The official 2003 TransPac Yacht Race Website http://www.transpacificyc.org
Website © 2002/2003
Doug Vann, Lisa Niemczura, Walt Niemczura