2015 Ocean Cruising Adventures - First to finish without really trying

by Blue Water Cruising on 31 Jan 2015 Ocean Cruising Adventures - After a lifetime of working and cruising on various oceans of the world and finding himself in possession of a beautiful old former race boat Peter Heiberg thought he would give ocean racing a shot. He entered the Pacific Cup from San Francisco to Kaneohe Bay in Oahu. 'We joked that we were the only boat in the race that had a drill press in the focs’le but in fact, we did have a drill press in the focs’le'.

His crew of mostly non sailors had a great time but didn’t exactly light the world on fire. Returning to the PNW with a couple of strangers who turned out to be the bottom feeders from hell suggested to Peter that single handing must be easier than being trapped in a small space for a long time with two total ship wrecks of human beings.

When Peter heard that the Single Handed Trans Pac was called 'the bug light for weirdoes' he knew he had found the ocean race for him. So in 2012 he again headed south to San Francisco to make his first attempt at the SHTP. Again his result was disappointing. As he describes it, 'The race was like teenage sex, I was really proud I did it but a little embarrassed by my performance.'

Swearing he would never ever do it again in late 2013 he again found himself preparing for the SHTP. Not because he hoped to do well but only to feel that he had 'shot his best shot.' Again he sailed to SF and again raced to Hawaii. 'Latitude 38 reported that I read 8 books during the race which is a complete lie, I read 11 books. Do they think I move my lips when I read?'

Much to everyone’s surprise, especially Peter, he was first to finish. Peter will be talking about the three races and the 18,000 miles of sailing involved. There will be a short film taken during the last SHTP and a question period. Peter’s newly published book, Lee Shore Blues, Sex, Drugs, and Bluewater Sailing will be for sale.