Atlantic 1000, Outer Banks 500 Half Information

Here we go. The boats have left the beach at Tybee Island and are off on the first leg of the Outer Banks 500 (seventh leg of the Atlantic 1000).

Team Tybee got off to a great start and has the early lead.

The wind is light out of the east-northeast, so no spinnakers this morning. Almost no surf -- they bounced over one little ripple and were on their way. When the sea breeze fills in later, it should build to 10-15 out of the southeast.

This leg is 83 miles, so Rick is estimating they won't get to Isle of Palms for about 7-8 hours.

The only two boats continuing on in the Atlantic 1000 are Team Tybee and Semp Toshiba. Steve Lohmayer is no longer on Tybee -- he dropped out because of an injured hand. He has been replaced by Brian Lambert.

The other three teams in this five-boat fleet are:
Cat Fever -- Todd Hart and Bart Hall
Chesapeake -- John McLaughlin and Steve Titus
Accelerated Chaos -- Chris Titcomb and Nate Titcomb

Best of Luck to ALL and Here's to a safe trip to KDH!

We'll be waiting at the Cape...

Before anybody calls or e-mails about it, we are aware that Rick's photos did not show up in his story for the start of the Outer Banks. He is already on his way to Isle of Palms, so he will have to fix it when he gets there this afternoon.

Five boats total???? This was really unfortunate news here as I was looking forward to a full fleet landing at our beach in Wrightsville, just like Worrell 1000 days!

I really want to congratulate Tybee and Toshiba for having the will to continue on just as if this were the REAL 1000 miles race of old, albeit with a one day layover to rest.

I am really surprised more teams did not attempt the full race as there were always a good number for the Worrell. Perhaps the promotion of the even as two separate races hurt this aspect. I think the Worrell 1000 was such a unique event in racing that it deserves to be carried on in some form and hopefully with a full fleet of participants. Seems strange that Team Castrol didnt continue when they have been in past 1000s.

Does ANYONE know the status of the Worrell 1000 and why Mike Worrell dropped the ball here? IT seemed to be getting MORE AND MORE notice in the media the years before it went down last year after the format change. Strangely, I thought it was getting stronger before this implosion.

Still, I commend those that ARE going in the Outer Banks 500. Hope it's a great race. Just sad to see it losing much of the Tybee 500 steam as far as numbers go. I know some had to drop out for unfortunate reasons but where are the other guys?

Kelly

If you search on these and other sailing forums, you'll dig up the dirty truth of why the Worrell isn't being run, nor will it ever be run again.

Basically it comes down to undelivered promises, unrefunded money, and a handful of lawsuits.

Kelly,

I wouldn't worry too much about it just yet. The OBX 500, Tybee500, and the Atlantic 1000 are very young. I'm excited that the OBX and Tybee provide an event that us working stiffs can do with regular vacation time. I think we will see both of these events continue to grow in the future. The race organization was great - especially considering that this was only the second running of the Tybee500. It will just take a little time for them to grow and reach the same acclaim as the Worrell had.

Rick is at Isle of Palms. Wind has picked up to about 15 but still ENE, so probably no spinnakers. Rick said it looks like long starboard-tack legs and short hitches on port tack.

On pain of death he has promised to let me know as soon as he sees anything resembling a sailboat on the horizon.

There's a boat on the way in, coming real fast, not identified yet except that it is a catamaran.

False alarm. Turned out to be somebody sailing for fun off the beach somewhere west of the finish line.

New report, though, of two boats on the horizon (as seen from a third floor).

This is getting to be like a video game. The false alarm was a false alarm. That boat they dismissed as being a recreational sailor turned out to be Team Tybee, and they are now on the beach. The other two boats seen on the horizon are on their way.

Apparently, nobody on the beach has binoculars.

2nd to the beach is Accelerated Chaos
3rd is Semp Toshiba.
Projected for 3rd is Chesapeake
Projected for 4th is Cat Fever.

There is a rumor that there will be a live band tonight at the Windjammer, so if you happen to be in the area, stop in and get some autographs from people who look like sailors.

What a great leg! We have posted pictures on our website at AcceleratedChaos.com
looking forward to the rest of the week.
Team Accelerated Chaos
www.acceleratedchaos.com

Part of me missing being out there with you guys - what an adventure! Keep up the great sailing Chris and Nate! Go get Team Tybee for us!

Jake, what you are saying reguarding the Tybee 500/OBX500 Atlantic 1000 makes good sense. The races ARE young and Tybee surely has a great start. From the looks of it, OBX 500 has a good underpinning too, this from afar. I hope that these two events will meld into one to meet and surpass the success of the Worrell 1000.

I just wish more boats had opted to enter and complete the whole Atlantic 1000 as if it was ONE race instead of the two; they just needed to think of it as a 1000 of yore with a DAY layover!

Regardless, here is wishing success for the whole campaign. I have really enjoyed following the races over the years (since 1981) and was looking forward to seeing the teams come through Wrightsville Beach again, especially after missing last year. I hope there is a crowd at the Blockade Runner waiting on the 19th and there to see them off on the 20th.

It appeared to be a great first day of racing for the OBX 500. I really think special notice should go to Team Accelerated Chaos, who despite their name, managed to do EXTREMELY well on only their THIRD time both have been on an Inter20 together! Insane. Their site has some nice shots of the event as well. Surprised Tybee is still running with their old site (Man, I miss the days of Tommy Bahama with their tracking map and excellent site). Of courrse, thanks to Cat Sailor for providing this medium for exchange as well as minute to minute details. I try to check here daily.

Look forward to seeing the teams Wednesday!

Kelly
Wrightsville Beach, NC
www.beneteau235.com

Kelly,

You do realize what a terrific effort is required to actually put together a sailing campaign up the coast for two weeks? I remember someone posted the $ figures, saying that it costs no less than $30,000 per year per team to do the whole 1000 miles. Thats a significant chunk of change even with sponsorship.

Plus, leaving work for two weeks is not possible for most people.

Jut trying to shed some light as to why there aren't that many doing the full 1000. The race was split so that amateur racers could compete with the rockstars.

Indeed, I do realize the cost. In talking with Martin Willard and others, the figure of 25,000 came up as what might be needed to be really competitive in the later years of the Worrell 1000. Wrightsville Beach's own Blockade Runner sponsored Randy Smyth for a number of years before he moved on to other things due to time(He totally dominated the Worrell 1000 for many years). The figures it took to be competitive at this level, both physically and financially, were not for the faint of heart or pocketbook. Yet, I think others have done this race with much, much less, this from talking to a number of sailors over the years.

Still, in order to REALLY attract the media and garner the attention that the Worrell 1000 brought, I think the full 1000 needs to be a strong force. It was such a milestone in cat racing, moving from the Hobie 16 all the way to the Inter20, and challenging what was deemed "SANE" on a small, open catamaran, that it needs to keep this aura intact to keep the interest and awe that surrounded this race alive and well.

I am at a mystery as to why Team Castrol didn't continue since the tight race between Tybee was surely compelling and a GREAT story that would have continued up the coast, and in my view, brought more attention/interest as it built. It was some of the tightest racing in the history of the event!

As for the one week vs two point, I agree. Surely this is much easier to navigate. Yet the full two week Worrell event always managed to attract a full showing, from big fish and small, amateur and pro.

I just hope the new races build quickly with the Atlantic 1000, as a whole, getting the attention and focus it deserves to keep the tradition of the Worrell 1000 alive and kicking.

One thing is for sure, the racing is still just as excellent...

Kelly
www.beneteau235.com

I wanted to get anyone's thoughts on this aspect of the Atlantic 1000. Although this is obviously TWO distinct races, I was wondering how the organizers deal with the fact that of the two boats doing the FULL 1000, one of them, which happens to be the leader, Team Tybee, has removed Tybee 500 skipper Steve Lohmayer and replaced him with Brian Lambert, surely a big name in the Worrell 1000 (see Team Alexanders-by-the-Bay). Meanwhile, Semp-Toshiba appears to be continuing on with the SAME SKIPPER AND CREW as the first half of the race. Normally, a penalty would be given for switching of crew - I can't remember if a skipper switch is even allowed... perhaps so. At the least, I think SOME penalty should occur when looking at the WHOLE Atlantic 1000 scenerio. I see this as a great advantage to have a fresh skipper not to mention one with tremendous experience in some of the most challenging conditions in the history of the Worrell.

IF given a time penalty, this would put Semp-Toshiba and Tybee almost neck and neck, making for more exciting racing. In my view, I think it's pretty fair and even handed as well. I wonder if Semp-Toshiba complained about this change? While it might be fine if judging JUST the Outer Banks 500, in my opinion, the results of the Atlantic 1000 should REFLECT this change.

Kelly

The first skipper change does not come with a penalty if it is due to injury... I like it that way. If Tybee were to replace Kenny or Brian from this point on, I'm not sure if they would get a penalty for the OBX portion, but they should for the A1000 portion. Since they're organized as separate races, I guess they would then be carrying two times.

I understand Steve's hand sprain is really painful - hats off to him for gutting it out to stick with JC in the first half. In fact, I was impressed with the sportsmanship across the board for the Tybee, such as Jake and Dave not taking advantage of the half-hour rule and teams swapping parts on the beach. Seems like there were a couple of Worrells right at the end where sportsmanship suffered a little.

Keep rockin' OBX fleet!

Kelly,

I think the rules concerning the ability to change sailors between these events was pretty clear, and was known well in advance by any and all teams that would compete.

In some of the 'original' discussions of partnering the Outer Banks 500 with the Tybee 500 - it was discussed that the organizers would make sailor changes between the two events possible - with no penalty - regardless of injury.

One of the beauties of this event being split into two separate events with an overall 'flavor' and 'foot print' of the Worrell - allows for teams to have a much greater set of options (concerning Sailors and Ground Crew) to participate over the course of two weeks and 1000 miles.

Good points, John. I actually didnt remember that you got a free skipper change due to injury. This rule obviously depends on the honesty and good sportsmanship of the team(s) so no absuse would result.

As for the sharing of parts and great sportsmanship you mention, that is DEFINITELY a major plus and something that usually goes on in the cat sailing community (or sailing in general). It is refreshing to see this type of dealing in a race as well. I do remember the Worrell getting rather heated in this area - with teams going with 30k budgets, things were bound to get less friendly. Good to see the sportsmanship aspect return with the new venue.

BTW, I sure miss Tommy Bahama! What a great site you guys had - the tracking and updates were first rate! Any chance of Tommy Bahama coming back for more in the Atlantic 1000?

kh

OBXGATOR: I guess the rules were clear. But you have to hand it to a team that DOES make it through the whole 1000 with the same skipper/crew/support. I think this should be rewarded in some way, perhaps in the future.

I don't know about that $30,000 figure - I suppose if you are paying a team doctor, paying your ground crew, and/or considering boat and sail costs that you could reach that high. Realistically though, you could make a comfortable run 1000 miles up the coast for about $5000 to $6000 for fuel, hotel, food, and some boat costs. We did our food, hotel, and fuel for around $2000 for the Tybee500 but we had spent a good deal more on equipment and sails before hand (I paused for half a minute until David repeatedly told me to cast away the brand new, but shredded, spinnaker on Day #3 and it wasn't even mine!). We were definitely blessed with a hard working fully volunteer ground crew. At this expense level, we weren't uncomfortable but we weren't in the lap of luxury either. When we do this again, we will try to have at least three people on our ground crew, at least two hotel rooms at every stop, and probably forgo the RV and replace it with a van and a truck. The RV was tough to get in and out of some of these places and sometimes had to park far away (with our supplies) and really put a burden on the ground crew.

Regarding sportsmanship...it was incredible. When we broke our rudder, we had at least three offers for replacement rudders and castings (we did have complete backups for this though). During the nukin' weather when we broken our pole and cut away what was left of our spinnaker, we came back to the beach and Richard (Team Manager) had already had at least 5 offers of loaner poles, spinnakers, and rigging. Everyone out there was in this together whether they were running out front or in the back - there's no better sport or better display of sportsmanship that I have ever witnessed.

At today's start, the fastest the boats went was by pusher and by paddle. Once they got out beyond the surf line, they put up their spinnakers and proceeded to sit there for at least 25 minutes, which was when Rick left the beach. It was too painful to watch. And it is 113 miles to Surfside Beach.

See Rick's story and pictures on our race coverage page.

Jake, I'm pretty sure that the $30k figure included the cost of a brand new Inter20 or 18HT.

Hey Kelly -

Thanks for the compliments to the team. We plan to be back for next year, although the debate over the second half continues. As cited by others, missing over two weeks of work is tough. Both of our sailors run their own businesses. And I don't mean that they make a couple of calls to employees and foremen from a desk - when I spoke to them yesterday they were both on tractors moving dirt. In the past, it has been a struggle to keep them focused on the event without losing them to a series of protracted work sessions in the evening when I thought they should be resting. I think they were both relieved that they could still participate with a lesser investment of time.

Jake - I've managed teams on both ends of the spectrum now. From me and two sailors in a motorhome to me and two sailors, 9 ground crew, a motorhome, a truck, two trailers (one huge), three hotel rooms all the way, live internet updates and GPS tracking, coordinating interviews and a photographer. More people does not mean less work. The more hands you have, the more you want to do, and the day fills up quick. Over the three years, my role has become one of "floating" from task to task to make sure stuff is rolling along ok. Its been pretty easy with the team I'm on now - they're all really fun people that aren't on vacation. "Floating," though, has greatly diminished my sense of accomplishment and contribution. It's tough to maintain the sense of family, and with more and more going on, you risk seeing less and less of the event. If you're lucky, like I've been, just about everything seems to get done by itself, keeping the sponsor happy and making it appear that you're completely in control and cool. That's not really what's going on though. I've been in the middle of a team meltdown (not with TB) and it was really a drag.

The best thing you can do is bring together a team that gets along well - if you've got some good chemistry and can eliminate feelings of resentment ("How come I have to rinse out the gear while THEY'RE in the pool with drinks??") the rest will come together just fine.

Ok, I'll put the pom-poms down now.

Finally had to join into the fray after lurking around for tha past couple years (yeah, I'm slow )

One other item that I thought needed addressed with the skipper change...You mention Brian's Worrell experience. Don't forget, Steve & Kenny have both been doing this for a lot of years also. I believe this is Steve's 6th or 7th.

Just hate to see them not given the credit... okay, one of 'em is my brother, so I have to stand up for him

Heck, I love watching for the results and love this race coverage. Thanks Mary.

Annual Averages for Expenses for our Team: 1999-2001

Hotels = $6,000
Parts/Gear = $5,000
*Other = $6,500
Total w/o Boat = $17,500

*Other = Airfare, Meals, Insurance, Sponsor Logos/Decals/Stuff, Entry Fees, Fuel

Matt
Team Outer Banks

What is the average price for a hotel room, and how many rooms does a team need, and for how many nights total? This race is always during a low-season time for the resorts, so I would think rates would be pretty reasonable.

Mary,

The Rooms in Florida are not bad at all...you are correct in that it is a really good time 'seasonally' to obtain rooms.

We typically took three rooms per location. (One year we split the trip up between the management and one couple went for week one and the other for week two - which saved us a one hotel room for the entire trip! But like John has indicated - you work a little harder that way!!)

We would spend a little more time at the first stop (preperation) and Tybee & Myrtle Beach (switch over to night legs/Layover days) and those three places have the highest hotel costs.

In 2000 we had a total of 48 separate Nights/Hotel Rooms for an average of $148 per room/night.