God watches over fools and catsailors - sometimes it's easier for him because they're occasionally in the same place.  That was definitely the case today as the Worrell fleet lined up for this morning's start, facing very heavy surf and on-shore wind.  Mike and the RC warned the fleet with the typical "extreme danger" discussion, and went so far as to stage a staggered start.  They split the fleet in half to allow for maximum spacing (about 60 yards), and had the second half of the fleet start five minutes after the first half.  We were in the number 10 spot, so we launched from the highest position in the second fleet.  We watched as the first-starters hit the huge surf.  Three boats flipped immediately - five or six boats made it through the first set of breakers, but
more than half of them were rolled over backwards, too.  Our boys watched carefully, and chose the best line out that they could - we started from the same spot as Brian and Jamie, and could see where they'd maneuvered through the surf and past the sand bar.  We had a great push and were in perfect trim at the gun - we shot through the first set of lumps, but caught the second set poorly.  Boats were flipping everywhere, and several boats were completely turtled with the rigs completely off.  Now there was the added hazard of sailors in the water - teams were swimming to get clear of the boats and back to shore where mayhem among the ground crews ruled.  Everyone was running and trying to keep track of bobbing heads in the 8 to 10 foot waves. 

The second set of breakers had pushed Alex and Nigel back into the washing machine between the beach and the bar - a series of waves had stolen their boat speed and left them trying to reach down to get some momentum back.  As they picked up speed again, we followed them further and further south, shouting encouragement into the impossible roar of the wind and surf.  They crested wave after wave, fighting to keep the bow down, and finally reached the farthest break about 300 yards from the beach - we watched breathless as a monster wave broke through the boat, exploding the trampoline out of the tracks and forcing the bows skyward... in slow motion, it seemed, they were overturned.  The mast snapped and rigging flew in all directions.  The boat quickly turtled, and we waited to see our team's heads between the huge swells.  Finally, they appeared about 20 or 30 yards from the crippled boat, floating and swimming for shore.  They were OK!

We sent part of the team back to our launch point to get the trailer and spare boat, and another member of the team began looking for beach access, while the rest waited anxiously for the guys to swim to shore and the boat to reach the beach.  It looked like a true shipwreck - the mast had shredded the main and jib, and the trampoline was split.  One of the rudders had snapped, but the boards survived the upside-down trip into the beach.  The rigging was a mass of lines and cables twisted around the mast and the shredded mainsail.

But Alex and Nigel are OK!  Soon after we'd gotten the boat out of the surf, someone from the RC ask us what our plan was - we were scrambling to assess the damage to the yellow boat, and we already had a new mast on the beach, ready to go.  We informed the committee that we intended to get the spare boat rigged if necessary, and continue.  The RC informed us that no boats were allowed back into the surf line.  We were told that we would be allowed to trailer our boat to the next checkpoint and be assessed a penalty, but we wouldn't be disqualified.  So here we are, speeding north, burning up the phone lines lining up new sails, graphics, arranging insurance, and reassuring loved-ones.  More pictures to follow - I don't think there are any from the beach after they got in, though.  Sorry - I was a bit busy.

Wish us luck on the repairs - more later!

John

   Later----

Everybody's beat, boat is ready,  all going to bed.

   Tuesday Morning's Dispatch

Hi Everyone - While waiting for information from The Team this morning, I spoke briefly with Nigel.  He said he's a little tired and that the seas are truly making this race a challenge.  I asked about the hardest part and he told me that getting off of the beach in the high surf is extremely difficult and if not done just so, could easily damage the boat or cause serious injury.  Fighting the high seas and confused wave patterns is also making it hard on the them physically.

This morning, getting off of the beach is probably going to be tougher than previous days as the surf is running at 6' and higher with winds of 25 knots.  The RC has ordered a staggered start so that only half the boats start at once.  By giving more space between boats they are hoping to reduce the risk of collisions during the start.

Thanks for hanging in here with us.

      Mr.Ernie