Monday, May 10, 1999
By Thatcher Drew
Team Big Bros./ Big Sisters rips spinnaker
Big Bros./Big Sisters, skipper Guy Selsmeyer reported that his spinnaker ripped about 22 miles into the leg. The team lost one place as Outer Banks passed her by, and of course lost over all time. Until the rip Selsmeyer felt the boat had speed and was gaining on Tybee Island. This despite being the heaviest team on the course at 400 lbs.
The rip was reported in a two foot glued seam near the top of the sail (made by North Sails in Australia). Selsmeyer was impressed that the rest of the sail held together for the rest of the leg despite the split.
Team Turtle offered to repair the spinnaker overnight. Team Turtle is sponsored by Nuclear Sails. Nuclear also helps sponsor team Extreme.
Turtle and Lions International Rivalry
An interesting duel has developed in the middle of the pack between Turtle and Lions International. Lions International has won both days, but they are only separated by a few seconds in total time, and the two boats were reportedly engaged in an intense downwind duel in both races.
Turtle, sailed by Alexander Korakis and Scot MacDonald, is a newcomer to the race. Todd Hart of Lions is in his first Worrell 1000 as well. Lions Intl skipper, Carl Roberts is competing in his third Worrell 1000. Last year his boat "Two Salty Dogs" was forced to withdraw during the 10th leg of the race.
Robert Onsgard Replaced
Robert Onsgard, skipper of the Worrell Bros. boat withdrew from the race. The reasons were not specified. He will be replaced by Clive Mayo who finished 7th in 1998. Mayo’s mast self-destructed on the first leg in 1997.
Chicks Beach and Rudee’s Restaurant in Downwind Duel
It started when Randy Smyth was not ready for the starting gun. He was still sitting on the boat when it wen off. So he took advantage of the extra time to trim the sails exactly and leapt out ahead of Rudee’s Restaurant.
The two boats chose to go inside along the shore. Randy Smyth loosely covering his main rival, Brett Dryland in a downwind duel that lasted all the way to the finish line.
According to Smyth he was able to grab the lead because of a 5% header near the beach. Both leaders were helped by a little thunder clout that swept over he course. It gave the leaders wind while it sucked air from the boats following.
Entegra Cracks Hull
The collision with Michigan at the start of today’s race broke Entegra’s spinnaker pole. It also cracked the hull at the bow stem. Entegra covered the foot long crack with duct tape before the start (40 minutes late). They sailed very close to shore the whole distance, but luckily shipped no water at all during the race, once again demonstrating the amazing healing powers of duct tape.
The Entegra team may also have damaged a rudder in the collision, though the steering was not affected. It must have been quite a collision to damage both the bow and the stern. Gary Hull, manager of team Michigan, is said to be donating parts and labor to the repairs. The spirit of sportsmanship is much commented upon. It seems inevitable, however, that there will be a formal protest between Entegra and Michigan. It will be held on Tuesday morning.
10:00 AM
The leaders get away cleanly
The leaders started cleanly on the second day of the Worrell 1000. Chick’s Beach and Rudee’s Restaurant started side by side with their spinnakers up. Rudee’s Restaurant had a little water in a hull this morning. There was a flurry of activity this morning with buckets of water and soap, looking for the leak. In the end they decided that the plug had been a little loose yesterday.
The skies are slightly overcast. The wind is from the south south east at about 12 knots. There is the promise of scattered thunderstorms this afternoon.
