Once Cat in a Hat wa in sight I ran back to the Bus to get up my story and pictures, assuming they were going to be OK. No, They were not.
I had told them to stay toward the shore all day. Well, they did that, got too close as they were very close to the finish line, got into the surf and were knocked down.
They broke their mast, ripped up their jib, etc.
They gathered up most of the boat and drug the boat up the shore line and crossed the finish line.
That took guts! They are now working hard to get ready for tomorrow's start.., if there is one. And all the rest of the teams were there offering help and parts. HMMMM! Would you see that in NASCAR?
Rick

I'm happy to report that Cat in the Hat has their boat back together and are ready to sail tomorrow!

Maybe and maybe not, but that is the kind of thing that has gone on, goes on, and will hopefully continue to go on at every Catamaran regatta. That kind of sportsmanship is what makes this such a great sport, and a great group of people. It is not unique to the Tybee, but typical of catamaran sailors across this country, and I rather suspect, all around the world. Congrats to all of the sailors that have proven once again what a great group of people Catamaran sailors are.

Stephen

Hey Todd,
Keep on truckin' and keep the pointy end up, "old salt!"
Congrats on being there and good finishes. Say hey to Steve, Kenny, Jamie, and Jay.
Good luck and get home safely,
John McL

Yahoo! Thanks Jake, that's great news! Way to go Tybee teams!

This is why I am proud to be a cat sailor!!!!!

They are starting at 9 a.m. today for this long (100+miles) leg from Fernandina Beach, FL to Tybee Island, GA.

The reason for the early start is because some nasty thunderstorms are possible this afternoon, and they want to try to beat them.

SeaCats and Marley's White are not sailing today. I'll get back to you with the reasons after the start.

Velocity got a great start and jumped into a 300-yard lead, while Tybee struggled in the surf and couldn't get the spinnaker filled.

Accelerated Chaos broke its rudders at the start, and other ground crews brought spares. They were off again after only about 5 minutes.

Rick will have his morning story and pictures up soon.

SeaCats and Marley's White are not sailing because of "wives." That's pretty much all anyone will say. Apparently, it is because of concern about the possibility of some severe thunderstorms this afternoon.

One more thing, just to add some additional confusion to the tracking, Cat in a Hat is using Marley White's tracking device today.

Thanks everyone for helping out Cat in the Hat, that's awesome! I can't believe you were able to put it back together, You guys are the best! Go Larry & Jackson!

Not sailing because of Wives, man, do I feel their pain!

Sorry to hear that guys, but I know it well... <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> As a matter of fact, I'll be cleaning up the house and yard today instead of sailing, got to get ready for a kid's pool party tomorrow. Hopefully I can get some of the kids out sailing tomorrow so it might work out.
But this is the Tybee 500, what did they think it was? (the wives I mean) The Tybee 400?

It's not just because of Wives - the weather has real potential to get nasty and there are no bail-out points past Saint Simmons Island. It was a team decision.

I get pretty scared when I am on a little 2 mile wide bay when thunderstorms come through. Anyone who wants to avoid that out on the open ocean ain't going to catch any crap from me. Of course, I am not of the same "cloth" as these guys <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Jake, I'm relieved I won't have those teams to worry about. I really do fret about the competitors sometimes. There is not a lot of help available out there! Any idea when they might finish? Hoping Chaos can make up for lost time today, and that they all get in safely.

We just sat thru a "red" storm sitting off I95 at a really nice BBQ restaurant.

LOTS OF RAIN.

no lightning, no "damaging winds".

The teams should be fine if they make it in before 6PM by my estimation.

Very diplomatic of you, Jake.

"Wives" was the reason given by a race official and a team member, both of whom shall remain nameless. Personally, being a "wive" myself, I think the wives should be given full credit for a common-sense decision like that. <img src="http://www.catsailor.com/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Wow
I was just looking at the weather.com radar and the tracking map and looks like Cat Fever is on the edge of a storm.

They have also veered off of shore a bit.

Hope they don't get in the middle of it!

Actually it would be neat if you could overlay the radar map on the tracking map.

I think the leaders have a shot at beating the bad spot of weather headed this way. We're on Tybee Island now and seeing some occasional lightening. The really bad line of storms is expected here at around 4pm. By my estimate, it should be close.

NexRAD weather NexRAD weather

Tad and Jake, How much contact do you have with the crews when they're out there? Do they have to be "in line of sight"?