AJ Gold
Second Verse

Cascade 36

PCR: 156
Homeport: San Francisco, CA
   

Second Verse

I began sailing in high school out of South Beach Harbor. Back then they were begging for boats to moor there! I then sailed competitively at Dartmouth, but my real sailing began after college down in Southern California. I crewed on a J/35 and we campaigned her up and down the coast. The problem was that we kept winning so they kept asking me back (it wasn't my fault we were winning!). I absolutely fell in love with ocean sailing and large keel boats. I began sailing out of San Francisco again, and have sailed up and down the coast from Portland to San Diego. About three years ago I began to think about the Singlehanded Transpac. I wanted to go in '08 but the boat I just purchased wasn't quite ready (or maybe it was me). Now we're both ready and I can't wait to sail out of the Gate and point her in the right direction.

I want to thank everyone that has given me support and encouragement to do this race. My family, my children ("Daddy, can we swim off the boat in Hawaii", yes!), and all my students who don't understand why I can't just drop all the sails at night and sleep for six hours. I also want to thank Bob and Rob (SHTP Co-Chairs) for their support and advice during the entire process. I think the SSS is the best sailing society in the world! Our motto should be, "Get out there and do it!". Good luck to all the fleet — see you in 2,120 miles.

AJ Goldman

Navigation : Nobletec, chartplotter, two GPS units, dolphins swimming in the right direction

Steering : Raymarine 6000 Autopilot, HyrdoVane

Communication: VHF, sat phone

Food : Lots of camping-type food, frozen lasagna, PB&J, enough Gatorade to quench a small army