I just have a suggestion for these long distance races, and especially the ones that last more than a two-day weekend --the Worrell 1000, the Tybee 500, and the Great Texas Race.

It would be really helpful if they would post on their website, both for safety reasons and for the benefit of the spectators, all possible identifying information for the boats. Like hull color, mainsail color, jib color, spinnaker color, sponsor logos on sails, life jacket colors for the crew, and whatever else would identify the boats and people, when you are looking at (or for) them from land, sea or air.

For many years for our Key Largo Steeplechase I have required all that information. Originally, it was for the benefit of the spectators. But in the 13th annual race, that information was absolutely crucial when a bad weather situation resulted in lots of bad situations -- people separated from boats, a boat being blown out into the Gulf Stream (and ultimately lost), and boats having to come ashore at numerous points along the course -- Coast Guard and Marine Patrol and Sheriff's Deputies involved in the rescue operations.

That kind of information has never been available to the public for the Worrell 1000, and it is not available for the Tybee 500. (I hope the race committee has it.)