Originally Posted by HMurphey

Matt: have you ever talked to Wally about the time he competed in the Worrell 1000 ... in the days of "Iron Men on H16's" ??? No spinnackers ... no stops ... three men crews w/ two on the boat and one resting in the car/van on the drive from check point to checkpoint ... round the clock racing for 1000miles from South Florida to Virginia Beach Va.

Definately "Manly Men/Hairy Chest" territory .... no whimps allowed ..... ARrrrrr,ARrrrrrr

(I've got a few too many miles on me for nonsense like that ....)

Harry Murphey


Yes, Harry - I know all about the "real" Worrell 1000. In the late '70s and early '80s, I raced against a lot of those guys in Hobie 16s. I remember when I heard about Ron Anthony being killed in a plane crash. I have a copy of this book displayed on my bookshelves. (It came with the trophy when I won the 1979 Atlantic Coast Championships in a Hobie 18.)
[Linked Image]

Around here (Detroit), when I tell people I race sailboats, invariably they respond, "Have you ever done the Mackinac Race?", because that's the only sailboat racing they've ever heard of.

My answer to their inquiry, "No ... you see, I'm not into that kind of pain - overnight races involve being cold, eating cold food, no showers and no sleep. When I'm done sailing for the day, I like a cold beer, a hot shower, a dinner that requires cooking and a real bed that doesn't move."

Maybe I'm getting old, but a race like Down the Bay just doesn't have much appeal to me (as a competitor) anymore.