Peligroso Racing Team: Transpac 2011: Day 5. If it ain't broke...

Hey everyone, here's what's new with our crew...

The wind was blowing with less strength today at around 10 to 11 knots. But the boat was keeping up with the same speed as the wind. It was a calm day for Peligroso, with warmer weather. The crew is now beginning to enjoy non-sailing activities such as listening to music, watching movies on Loren's iPad, nicknaming each other (I will do my best to get some good examples), and fixing stuff.

Last night the crew witnessed a nighttime rainbow, according to them, a unique and surreal experience. Hard to imagine how beautiful that must have been... I hope they took pictures.

Apparently today the crew was able to fix the suction pump in the toilet (thank God!) and people are not happy with Yon for having thrown two perfectly good cokes literally down the toilet. They also had to fix the band on one of the front winches that is used to grind (pull up) the Spinnaker. And also the engine was not working well. No, they are not cheating, they actually have to turn on the engine for an hour each day to recharge the batteries. Without batteries the water maker (among other electronics) can't work and that could be a problem. But the good news is that the engine is now working fine and the Peligrosos can stay hydrated...

I don't completely buy this, but the information received today indicates that "most" crew members have now showered. I wonder which ones haven't. Actually, we all know well who those dirty sailors are... (maybe that's why Dani has been nicknamed the "rasta girl").

With regards to sleep, I believe we should start calling this boat the Hybernoso because the sleep shifts are record long. The more experienced american sailors joke that they had never been on a boat where the crew slept so much as in Peligroso. Bienvenidos to the concept of Mexican Siesta!

Despite the merrier and more relaxed environment on board, the crew is still doing a very professional job and they are still fighting closely for the first place. With less than half the distance still to cover, they will soon have more accurate information about their ETA, but my rookie math approximates an early Saturday morning arrival.

And now, our daily crew descriptions. Here are Ben Mitchell and Yon Belausteguigoitia's. Thanks Karen and Eliane.

Also check out the pics after the descriptions to get a sense of life on board Peligroso...

Yon is a man that knows what is important in life! He is an entrepreneur with a business education and an MBA from IPADE. He headed a Company of over 400 employees for 20 years and was brave enough to let go of all of that in order to fight for what he truely loves. Today he is starting a new business around sailing. In Mexico, he is known as one of the best sailors in the country, but not only for what he knows, but also for what he loves to share with others.

Yon is my soul mate, my spiritual teacher with such a huge joy in his heart that it is always contagious. It is my privilage to share my life with him. We've been in love for more than 30 years and have the fortune of having 3 wonderful children: Yon (20), Danel (17) and Ander (15). Yon is always happy, he connects with his heart and makes the people around him feel happy and safe. He is a quiet leader, who knows how to listen deeply. He will always go out of his way to help others and make everybody feel at home. Yon is always creating something new, he loves to do things himself and is always active. For him imposible is nothing!

Ben was born and raised in Los Angles CA. where he learned to sail at a young age on his father's Dragon. He sailed in college for USC and gained a degree in Law. Benny's absolute biggest passion in life (hopefully only second to his wife) is sail boat racing. He just finished 3rd in the Etchells Worlds and has his sights on the upcoming Star Worlds in San Diego. I beleive this is his 13th? Transpac which were previously sailed on Pyewacket but his first time on Pelegroso. I know this is a very special race for him because of the opportunity to sail with with Lorenzo and his young enthusiastic crew. By the daily updates and the daily tracker I'm sure they are all having a very exciting race.

THE SCENE OF THE CRIME