Well, the day started off a little hectic as the teams were all finishing their rigging at DIYC. But most of the teams made it off the beach and started on time. The boats with spinnakers were flying them at the start line and said they made it to the Skyway and then to Mullet Key before dousing them! Then for the lead boats, I got to see them reaching their way up the southern Pinellas beaches at about 300' over their heads in a Cessna 172SP out of Clearwater Airpark (I've got to get my solo time built up, so what better reason to go flying?!). All of the 20' boats were with in about 2 miles or so of each other after rounding up the point. I never saw any of the smaller boats or the H21 that left DIYC. Then I got back to the causeway in time to see the leaders make it in, which they said around the Reddington/Indian Shores area is where the wind clocked around and made the last leg a pure beat all the way back to the causeway. The Steve Lohmayer and Kenny Pierce Worrell 1000 team were this year's winners in just over 5hrs. 42min (not quite the record if you're wondering). Hopefully there will be some kind of results posted out here soon. Again, I'm not sure about any other boats like a P16, Gcat5.x, Mystere 4.3 w/ chute, H17, N5.5sl and a H21.

But it looked like everyone that I saw make it back had a great time. Of the 3 or 4 Worrell 1000 teams that competed this year in the Macho Man, all of them said they loved the race, venue, weather, etc. It gave them a chance to work out their kinks and their ground crews to get their logistical plans smoothed out prior to the big race next month!



Sail fast,

Ryan



PS- For those planning on doing this next year, please plan on rigging and departing from the city beach at the east end of the basin and NOT the beach next to the yacht club! Thanks.