From Isle of Palms to Myrtle Beach
I can hear you saying, "What's happening? Why aren't they reporting anything to us"
We are not being remiss in our duties, it's just the Isle of Palms. This is absolutely the most challenging and
most difficult stop of this Aquatic Tour de France for a number of reasons. One of those reasons is that it's almost
impossible to get a telephone line to send out the stories.
Hopefully, this story will get out this evening before the entourage leaves. If not, well, you'll just have to
wait until we get back to civilization.
Another problem is the fact that there are no accommodations. Due to EL Nino, a motel on the beach was not completed
in time for the event. Plans had been to use the hotel as Race Headquarters and for accommodations, but a few weeks
before the event, the hotel management notified Michael Worrell that the building would not be completed. This
caused some last minute scrambling to find places for everyone to sleep. And it couldn't have been worse timing
– two major colleges in Charleston were have graduation and every available room was booked.
Two things:
1)This meant The Race Headquarters had to return to the bar they used last year called The Windjammer. The owner
of the bar graciously allowed the use of his office and phone lines, but it was very difficult to operate out of
there.
2)The nearest accommodations were 8 miles away. Not to convenient. Last night when the sailors arrived after a
wild, furious reach, they had to de-rig their boat, etc. and then wait for a ride back to the motel. Meanwhile,
they were standing there swatting no-see-ums (sand gnats) and shivering.
Not a pretty picture, is it?
So, why not find another place that has accommodations? There apparently is no other place on the ocean and at
the right distance to keep the mileage correct for the legs. And, if the motel had been completed, there would
not have been a problem. Next year the motel should certainly be in business
Despite all the problems with the way point, the Aussies loved it – loud music and lots of young people.
Getting Ready for the Start
 John Bowerfind (left) and Steve Vanderbol of Challenge 98 Team have dropped out of the running. Vanderbol is suffering from broken ribs when their boat nearly pitchpoled |
Not knowing the extent of the injury, he mustered up the courage to sail last night from Tybee Island to Isle of Palms, but it proved to be a mistake. He was in such pain that he could hardly steer the boat. And this was not a night for a casual sail – it was a screaming, mostly out-of-control reach.
Vanderbol reached his decision this afternoon and they packed up their boat. Partner John Bowerfind was in complete agreement, adding, "The worse legs are still ahead of us. What if he punctured a lung in a storm in Frying Pan Shoals? There would be no place to even take him in."
Vanderbol has already sworn he will be back. "I made it one leg farther than I did last year. If I keep this up by the year 2005 I'll make it all the way."
 Richard Pleasants (left) and John McLaughline of Chesapeake Bay Cats are having a great time this year and still plugging away. |
He also added, "That website is really great. My brother lives on the West Coast and we rarely get together. But now he is calling my wife every day."
His teammate is John McLaughlin. Last year McLaughlin was really chewed up about this time into the race. He had jammed forward as did Vanderbol, but instead of hitting his ribs, he hit the sidestay with his leg. It turned out to be a compression blow, but cut through his flesh all the way to the bone.
When McLaughlin had gotten off the boat last year, he said his leg felt like it was cramped. An hour of so later, while taking off his dry suit, he thought it was full of water. It wasn't water.., it was blood! He still managed to get it doctored up while he sat out one leg, but continued on. Apparently, McLaughlin has a high pain threshold.
New Perpetual Trophy Will be Presented Next Year
In response to the suggestion, Mary Wells, Publisher/Editor of Catamaran Sailor Magazine announced today that they will donate a perpetual trophy for the fastest time in the Worrell 1000 Race and it will be named the Carlton Tucker Memorial Trophy.
Spokesman for the magazine, Rick White said, "Maybe this can be a little bit of immortality for a great guy and a great sailor -- a way for us all to remember him."
They're Off and Running
The beach was full of cheering people as the boats shoved off with spinnaker flying
In light winds of around 5-8, the boats got off in small surf with no problems today. The winds are expected to
go from NW to SW and then back to SE by morning. This may be a long night – nothing like last night's hot sail.
However, thunderstorms are a possibility.
The Finish
