Nice start for the race given the gale force gusts in the afternoon. The strong winds on the Strait Thursday were but an inkling of what the racers will face further north. 

This is an amazing race because its just the crew (sometimes one person) and the elements, without safety nets or supplies or any kind of close support. Just a small boat, a small crew and the very big elements of nature. 

I've done that trip a couple of times in a power boat I used to own, and that was an adventure with some scary moments, but paddling or rowing it blows my mind.