Gilligan's Run: Round Four Race Report
(Daytona Beach, FL, July 29, 2008) Gilligan’s Run was very successfully had its largest turnout of 22 boats in the history of the host Fleet 80’s 26 mile ocean distance race paralleling the shores of Daytona Beach & Daytona Beach Shores since the inaugural year 2000. One of six endurance races in the Endurance Series finished as one the most successful events for attendance and weather.
The Event
The 9th run of this distance race was very easily visible to beach spectators during day of racing with the Acapulco Hotel and Resort at Daytona Beach Shores serving a prime spot to sit and enjoy the boats racing. The race had a 1&1/2 hour postponement start to 12:30 p.m. to accommodate atmospheric pressure to build for more wind along the shoreline and a picture perfect start just 100’ from the beach.
The Race
Gilligan’s Run was named in honor of local sailor Richard Uschold, nicknamed “Gilligan.” Gilligan himself had a dramatic race, his boat, SS Minnow, dismasted losing his rig but suffering no injuries. A 23 foot Stiletto also dismasted without injury, and both had a short float back to shore safely.
Team McDonald won the event on a Blade F16 crossing the line 2 minutes 50 seconds before the team BMW on a Cat. The Screaming Yahoos were just under 30 minutes behind BMW on a Cat finishing out the top three. Team McDonald was skippered by Matt McDonald who teamed with his daughter Riley. 40 sailors, family and friends enjoyed a great day at the beach along the ocean ending with a social fish-fry by the host fleet.
The Points
The all carbon Marstrom 20 team of Carbon Cruising maintains the points lead followed by the wooden 20 foot Tornado of Wiki Wiki, who is new to the series. Team McDonald (Blade F16) and BMW on a Cat (Nacra 20) are tied for third place.
Photos
Tony Keller is the official series photographer. Photos are available online for viewing and for sale at
www.SailSeries.com. The Series
The Endurance Series is a Florida based series for sailors who have a fair amount of experience and feel comfortable sailing in all types of wind and sea conditions. The series provides a challenge for all experience levels. Some of the events are in lakes/rivers and others are out in the Atlantic Ocean and Gulf of Mexico and the distances range from 30 miles to 120 miles.
The Next Race
Next event in the Endurance Series: Hiram’s Haul, Melbourne (Space Coast), FL, October 25 & 26, Hosted by Performance Sail-n-Sport in cooperation with Space Coast Catamaran Association.
The Websites
Results and more information on Fleet 80 can be found at
www.Fleet80.comResults, series points and images can be found at
www.sailseries.com Tony Keller's website is
www.TonyKellerPhotography.com
