How about some food for thought for next year.
Warren Green, who took over what used to be the Hogsbreath 100, made a suggestion on changing the venue, since the hardshiop of launching in the Key Largo area.
And this is my response to him:
On the Steeplechase, when the bridge opened it certainly gave us a reason to reanalyze things, plus the boat launching problems in Key Largo. However, none of us can figure out how to make it work anywhere else -- seems when we first did it, we did it right!
Problems with Founders: If you go clockwise, you only have a few miles before first Steeplechase features (mangrove, canals, or flats), and not much later, the worst of them, short run across Blackwater and more, and finally open water. Don't think the sailors would like that course very much. Then we would need a stop shorter than Anne's Beach. Hard to find.
Going Counter Clockwise: There would be no place to land after a long first day (need to have the second day shorter -- due to getting sailors there, have food, awards, and pack up to go home). There is just no where to land north of Rodriguez and Key Largo area.
From Islander: Clockwise there would again be no place to land on Saturday, However, you might have something if you go Counter clockwise. Start at the Islander and finish the first day at Founders Park, or maybe the UKSC. Then Founders to Islander on Sunday.
This would make the first leg around 80 miles and the second leg around 32, which is about the same as we have now.
One drawback may be the leg up Hawks Channel will more than likely be a beat, rather than a spinnaker reach (which the sailors really like). The spin runs would be down the back side of the Keys -- it would be flat water and lots of mangrove creeks, which might be hectic with spin.
Good food for thought!
Definitely too late for this year. But something we could discuss with the regulars to see. Guess folks could stay at the Islander for two days also, since Founders Park is only a short distance away from the Islander. It would make for easier logistics.
Let me know if you have any feedback on this in a couple of weeks.
