Randy Smyth breifly told how it was Carlton that incited him to move from California to Florida
Michael Worrell, Race Director, held a brief memorial service in driving rain and wind. All of the team members
and race official were in attendance to show their last respects. A few people spoke, but it was very difficult
for them – they and we have lost a great human being and we are all extremely saddened by it. There was a moment
of silent prayer observed for our lost freind.
In a symbolic gesture, flowers were thrown to the sea for our lost sailor.
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."
The Leg from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina to Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
(At last We are Out of South Carolina – One More State to Go)
The hustle and bustle with less than a minute to go
The teams are getting ready for the trip around Cape Fear, one of the most treacherous areas on the trip. Here
there are huge boulders (not sand bars) that can block your course. You must be able to pick your way through these
hazards without major damage. Hitting one of them could spell disaster.
You can spot them by the waves spouting high in the air after they hit the boulders. It is expected to be low tide
at the time the fleet goes by. This may make the hazards more visible, or it could well mean that others not normally
visible could cause havoc.
The winds are from the north at about 8 mph but forecasted to be north at 15, switching to NW later. The rhumb
line to get around Cape Fear is almost in an easterly direction, which means a reach to the Cape. And if the wind
switches to the NW as predicted, after they go around Cape Fear, they will still have a reach to the finish.
This could be a record-setting run.
The Start
Smyth/Sneed had the pole position and took advantage of it -- the grabbed the lead immediately
The waves were not a factor and it was an easy reach through the surf. No problems to mention. Smyth and Company
of Chick's Beach had the pole position and took advantage -- he immediately jumped into the lead.
Overall Results as we start this leg to Wrightsville Beach, NC:
Position
Team
Time Behind Leader
1
Chick's Beach
00
2
Ausstralia I
25.46
3
Key Sailing II
1.55.22
4
Australia II
2.56.51
5
Key Sailing I
3.09.45
6
Worrell Bros Rest
4.05.59
7
Florida Keys
4.36.12
8
New England
5.22.22
`9
Int Insurance
5.47.28
10
Rudee's Rest.
6.14.58
11
Pomodoro
6.15.44
12
Cat House
7.05.59
13
Chesapeake Bay Cats
7.41.43
14
Nokia
8.13.06
15
2 Salty Dogs
9.00.53
16
Austin
11.03.29
17
Nuclear
11.08.55
18
Tackle Shack
12.28.28
The Finish
Out of Control, Survival – Words that Best Describe this Leg
(Aussie cut a big chunk into Chick's Beach Lead)
In winds mostly in the 20 knot range and gusts, The Pig Team (Lovingly named because of a huge pink pig on the
Australian's mainsail) came to Wrightsville Beach in the lead, cutting dramatically into the 25 minute,46 second
lead the Randy Smyth and Jason Sneed of Chick's Beach had held going into this leg around Cape Fear.
Smyth/Sneed were neck and neck on a wild beam reach with Robert Onsgard/Jamie Livingston of Worrell Bros. Restaurant
when they both stuffed the bows and pitchpoled simultaneously. Smyth turtled (where the boat goes totally upside
down, mast down, rather than on its side with the mast parallel to the water). A turtled boat is more difficult
to get upright, but both boats seemed to get underway at about the same time.
Smyth ended up finishing 6th – and 18 minutes behind the Aussies. This cuts his lead to a mere 7 minutes.
Key Sailing II did not make the finish line layline, and tried to tack in the surf without boards, and then got
sideways to the surf -- a very dangerous position.
It was a tight battle to the finish between Key Sailing I (right) and Rudee's (left)
The two Key Sailing Team grabbed 2nd and 3rd. It was a really close covering battle to the finish line – Key
Sailing I slam-dunked Rudee's on the layline to the finish, edging them out by 20 seconds.
New England had one if it's better finishes today. Garrett Norton and Jim Zellmer finished just ahead of Randy
Smyth and Company. Jim Zellmer said, "We've had to hold him (Smyth) off all the way from Cape Fear."
And, it might be added, there are many sailors out there that would be tickled pink to do so against such a great
sailor.
When asked how he liked the reach from Myrtle Beach to Cape Fear, Garrett Norton replied, "It was survival.
We were out of control the entire time." Apparently they were in control enough to round the cape in 3rd spot.
Jim Zellmer (left), Garrett Norton (right) of Team New England had one of their better finishes.
Rick Bliss on Rudee's finished 4th. While going around the Cape, teammate Sandra Tartaglino was nearly washed off
the boat. Later, on the beat to the finish after Cape Fear, Bliss said, "We tacked and I got a cramp in my
leg and didn't make it to the other side and we went over just before Carolina Beach Inlet. Funny it was the same
spot that Sandra's brother Steve and I capsized in ‘88."
Clark Keysor (left), Woodie Cope (right) of Tackle Shack. Clark at age 64 says he will retire in another 20 years.
Tackle Shack's boat is manned by the oldest sailors in the race. Clark Keysor (64) and Woodie Cope (50) of Florida
may not be burning up records, but they are sailing well and always in there. Their goal is probably not to win,
but how many marathon runners participate to win? Probably not many – for most it is the challenge between you
and survival. These guys are survivors.
Clark Keysor said, "The big thing we were worried about today was the boat. These were the same conditions
as last year when the boat broke apart."
On the Social Side
The hotel owner graciously supplied a keg of beer and a party for the sailors in the evening, with very reasonably
priced food.
