Mark, Mary,
Slight correction on the position where we dismasted. We were about a mile or less offshore and about six miles north of the finish and pinching hard trying to get out of the short, steep chop and doing a fairly good job of it when
the grommet at the head of the mainsail failed. We rolled up the sail and it seemed that we could make excellent headway under jib alone. Less than a minute later, ping!!!! the windward shroud "blowed up" as we were calculating our approach angle to the finish. CRAP!, mast down, no one injured, no problem. Gathered the mast in and my crew Nick called Mary with our coodinates. Seatow was there within 30 minutes and had us back at Holiday Isle where Nick, as any (good) crew would, went immediatly to the bar and oredered two whiskies and two beers.
No major damage, no injuries, except that we fought that front as it blew across for about two hours and it got the best of us in the end, it was not for lack of heart or effort.

We'll be back, with new rigging.