The First Leg

The Key Team Delivers a One-Two Knockout Punch

Key Sailing II approaches the finish line under full spinnaker (left), and drifves it up on the beach (right)

Key Sailing I and Key Sailing II delivered a surprise double whammy punch to capture the first two spots at the finish line in Fort Pierce, Florida. Brian Lambert and Mark Murray piloted Key Sailing II to first place spot, only minutes ahead of their team mates, Kevin Smith and Glenn Holmes. Both were sailing Nacra 6.0's.

Then it was Australia I and Australia II that delivered another double surprise, grabbing 3 and 4th positions. Brett Dryland and Rod Waterhouse took the 3rd spot on a a Nacra, lwhile Martin Thompson and Greg Barber were 4th with a Hobie 20.

Brett Dryland and Rod Waterhouse divew through the waves in Ft Pierce to take 3rd spot on Australia I(above)

The most exciting finish was played by Teams Worrell Bros. Restaurant (Robert Onsgard and Jamie Livingston) and Team Florida Keys (Peter Cogan and Stevve Lohmayer). The keys were ahead and had only to cover to reach the beach finish

first. They did a fine job. However, just before landing on the beach, a daggerboard slipped down, hit the sand and stopped them dead -- inches before the finish line. Worrell Bros. Rest. steamed past them to take a 9 second lead. Local sailor, Mike Powers said, "Robert won it by a board!"

The only woman in the race held up nicely, finishing in the top 8 boats. That was despite going for a quick dip in the ocean. Sandra Tartaglino was crewing for Rick Bliss of Team Rudee's Restaurant and was trapped out, spinnaker flying. Suddenly here trapeze line untied itself and she b egan to fall. Quickly she tried to grab the rest of the hook, but only managed to hold onto the bungie cord, which promptly broke and in the drink she went.

Undaunted, Rick Bliss simply dropped the spinnaker single-handed and came back and hauled her aboard and off they went again -- no problem!

Sandra Tartaglino fell overboard, was retrieved and still finished well. Sandra is the only woman in the race.

You are probably wondering what happened to Randy Smyth of Chick's Beach, right? Well, so are we. He had a small lead near Jensen Beach, not very far south of the finish line. THen the leaders say he sailed into the beach and dropped his spinnaker. He has not finished as of yet

We'll let you know what happened.