Tall Ship Challenge mariners were hoping for stronger winds today to push them toward San Francisco.
On the first day of racing Wednesday, the crews were struggling to gain speed.
As of 7 p.m., they were sailing into a 2 knot headwind.
“We’re hoping it will pick up,” Race Coordinator Steve Baker said.
Seven tall ships are en route — five are racing and two enjoying the sale.
Racing vessels include Europa of Amsterdam; Hawaiian Chieftain of Sausalito, Calif.; R. Tucher Thompson of New Zealand; Zodiac of Bellingham; and Quissett of Tacoma. Nina of Cayman Islands and Bat’kivshscyna of Ukraine are headed to San Francisco, but not racing.
Baker did not know which tall ship is leading the race.
