The 2016 Steeplechase had plenty of challenges, starting with the fact that the long time organizer Rick White was unable to participate due to serious health problems.
Fortunately in the spirit of beachcat racing volunteers stepped in to make the event happen. I don't know everyone who helped, but special thanks to
Dennis Green at Islander Watersports for taking the lead and again welcoming and helping catamaran sailors who mostly just interrupt his business.
There is a story with results on the front page of this site plus additonal pictures and news on TheBeachcats.com Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/thebeachcats
Despite the initial problems with getting the event organized the race still expected double digit entries right up until Saturday, then the weather reports came in predicting extremely strong winds over the 100+ mile race course. This caused a number of teams to cancel their trip, but still 7 teams started. The actual winds at the start were very manageable and not nearly as strong as the forecast. However shortly after the start the winds did pick up and there was a storm line that popped up and appeared to threaten the fleet.
Out of this "Magnificent Seven" one team turned back soon after the start (F18 Laura Muma and David Ingram) and a second team (F18 David Reed and Mark Herendeen) suffered a broken shroud leading to dismasting. They were able to tie off to a crab pot and call for help, Dennis Green sent a boat out to them and they were towed to shore where repairs were made with parts borrowed from fellow competitors and they were able to race the second day.
The fleet re-grouped at Key Largo and the storm line passed on leading to beautiful downwind sail back to Islamorada on Sunday. The race was won by the team of Jaime Livingston and Kenny Pierce sailing a Tornado, they won on both elapsed and corrected time, congratulations!
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Damon Linkous
1992 Hobie 18
Memphis, TN
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