Eric and Bill Roberts Win 21st Annual Key Largo Steeplechase

The first day of the annual great race was a bit of a bore. In the 21 years running of this race, this was the second lightest wind on Saturday there was. The worst wind was in the mid-1980s -- the first boat finally made Anne's Beach (the first stop of the course) at 5AM. That race was abandoned for lack of competitors. Since there were already trophies, they were awarded to who went the farthest.

The fleet was late getting to the starting line due to light winds going out to the starting line. For the first time in the history of the race there was a postponement.

Matt Ridgly was presented the award for going the longest distance. His acceptance speech went like this, "Most awards are presented for Good, Better and Best. In this case, they should be for Dumb, Dumber and Dumbest."

The Race

For the first time in the history of the race there was postponment of the start -- the RC had to wait for the boats to navigate Jewfish Creek in light winds to get to the starting line. Finally, the races got of 25 minutes late.

There was decent air at the start -- perhaps around 5 to 7 mph. Then it sort of pooped out. There were a lot of holes in the wind -- usually an indication of dying winds. You could see one boat moving rather nicely.., another setting still.

There was decent air at the start, but it soon dwindled away

Paddling is allow in this race at any time. As you can see from these pictures, there was some thought put into how to do it. Above, Jamie Livingston uses a kayak paddle for the twice the horsepower of a canoe paddle.

The first boat finally reached Angelfish Creek (at the northern end of Key Largo and the way to the ocean side of the island) well after noon. As the fleet departed Angelfish on their trek down Hawks Channel on the ocean side of the island, the wind picked up bit. The sky was filled with spinnakers and the boats moved along nicely.

The first boat out of Angelfish Creek was the Marstrom 20, with Mike Phillips and Steve Lohmayer.

Eric and Bill Roberts were the 3rd boat out of the creek and into the Atlantic side of the island

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Team Tybee Island with John Casey and Kenny Pierce were close on the heels of the lead boats as they entered Hawks Channel

Howard's Pub with Doug Kirby and Andy Herbick were the second I-20 out of Angelfish

But, the winds died out again. It was off and on again all day long. The Roberts boat was the first to the finish line for the first day and arrived around 7:30. They were 26 minutes ahead of Brian Lambert and Jamie Livingston on a CFR 20. Mike Phillips and Steve Lohmayer were third in on the Marstrom 20. The first I20 was Tybee sailed by John Casey and Kenny Pierce, closely followed.

The last boat did not hit the beach until just after midnight. Four boats dropped out of the race on the first day

Sunday, the Second Leg

Four more boats dropped out of the second leg before the start. So, only 13 boats began the second leg. The winds were much improved and the fleet ended the day flying hulls across the finish line.

Team Tybee had a great start and were the leaders through the Channel Five Bridge. The Roberts were the second to go through to head back north up the Intracoastal Waterway.

Another father and son team were Jared and Jan Sonnanklar of Team Castrol. They finished up in 8th place overall

The Marstrom 20 had trouble getting through the shallow water after the start and were far back behind the fleet as they went through Channel 5 Bridge.

First to the finish again was Eric and Bill Roberts on the ARC22, capturing all the marbles -- the Olde Lawn Chair and the Rick White Perpetual Trophy. Second place overall went Brian Lambert and Jamie Livingston. Having a great sail was Team Tybee Island, who took 3rd spot.

From l to r -- Bill & Eric Roberts, Kenny Pierce, Jamie Livingston, John Casey and Brian Lambert. Just to the right of Bill Roberts is the wooden tree slab that is the Rick White Perpetual Trophy for the winner on Portsmouth Ratings, and beside is famous and coveted Ye Olde Lawnchair.

For Complete Results, Click Here.