Is there a better way to get a good idea of the start of the World's Toughest Row - Pacific by being right there? Renate took her chance! 

Early June, the boats were still on the trailer in the reserved part of the parking lot @Fishermans Wharf, a week later all boats were in the water. There was a lot of fiddling and tinkering with the boats, doing the last bits & bops, fixing some logos on the hull. The energetic buzz was overwhelming! Drinking coffee with Hannah and Hunter from Horizon Racing USA, regular conversations with the organization and the always cheerful photographer, taking another look at the layout of the boats and discuss some details with the teams, the days filled up automatically.

I love rowing, but a brisk mountain walk at its time makes me very happy too. While this year's teams got their briefings and final preparations, I strapped on my hiking boots and backpack. And what joy it was to see the huge sequoia's, enormous waterfalls in Yosemite and enjoy the hospitality of lots of Americans.

June 11,  back in Monterey. Ian Couch, head safety team gave an inspiring but realistic presentation about ocean rowing. After half an hour you almost start thinking: what am I getting into... But luckily I already knew that. And it tastes like more, that's why I'm going again. But the attendees who hadn't rowed before had these vague looks. I get that.  

June 12, 7am. I hardly slept. If I am thát nervous, how would it have been for the rowers themselves? I was so jumpy, I ran back and forth between the jetty and the start at the entrance of Fishermans Wharf. All this excitement! The horn. And then it is just you and the Ocean. Oh how I love it. And oh, what work we still have to do.

But; Kauai; here we come!