Our sailors are now feeling the remoteness of their adventure as they cross the Pacific.  Here is an excerpt from the blog of an American yacht, Aspen, which joined the rally in Panama:

"S/V Aspen – April, 2010 – Log #36.  Position: 04 degrees 18.0' S 108 degrees 20.0' W.  Pacific Ocean

Just think of the giants of history that have crossed this mighty Pacific Ocean: Magellan, Cook, Darwin and Heyerdahl among many others. To sail upon the same waters as them is awe inspiring to say the least. Edmund Leo, Maria's dad, did exactly the same thing over 60 years ago when he was in the Navy and fought in the war. We are also following in his footsteps.

Aspen is now in one of the most remote regions on earth. There is no shipping traffic that comes this way and only airliners can fly high above our heads without stopping. Getting help out here is not possible unless you happen to find another sailboat near you. However, we are with the Blue Water Rally and we are traveling with a group of 29 other sailboats."

The yachts are not without their problems, Moonshiner and Scott Free are still in Galapagos waiting to get their engines repaired.  They have time to catch up the fleet as the rally spends time in French Polynesia meandering amongst the islands and getting some fun R&R after the Pacific crossing.  Of more pressing importance was the news that one skipper, Jaime Cortez, was suffering with painful kidney stones.  The rally have rallied around (after all that's what rallies are for!) and provided medical advice, and Sheila Norton has bravely transferred yachts in mid-ocean to help administer medical care and run the yacht.  How about that for good neighbourliness!  Well done the Norton team!  At the same time, the Australian yacht Gaultine III has altered course to sail close by in case an extra skipper is needed to take the vessel onwards.

Other yachts are suffering some technical failures.  Generators, autopilots and sails are all suffering at the moment.  But even with all these worries, one can sense a feeling of excitment amongst the fleet as they get some excellent sailing in and some good daily mileages.

Sail on BWR, Sail on!"