Check back after 0700 hours on Saturday, March 3rd to read how LeatherLungs is doing in the Everglades Challenge!
EC2012 Race Reports for LeatherLungs
(24 posts) (4 voices)-
LeatherLungs
MemberNeil successfully launched this morning at 7:00 am, to the melodious sounds of Fred's bag pipes. As one competator noted, "I hope that's not a funeral song your playing." It wasn't.
It was difficult today as the wind was strong and blowing directly into the beach from the the point that many of the competators were planning to sail. Neil dicided to take the "inside route", rather than going into the Gulf, a wise decision given the conditions.
I have recieved two (2) okay signals from Neil and expect to hear more later ....
Posted 9 years ago # -
LeatherLungs
MemberSaturday update
Just spoke with Neil ... he is doing well ... as noted earlier the wind was tough across Tampa Bay ... (good news bad news) ... bad first ... he developed a problem with an oar lock crossing the bay .... good news ... he was able to repair it and continue ... he is currently under sail and about ready to stop for a bite to eat ...
Posted 9 years ago # -
LeatherLungs
MemberIf you have been following the tracking device you can see Neil is beginning to close in on Check point 1. He is still having trouble with the oar lock and stopped for a while this morning and tried an additional repair. He injured his hand in doing so, but has decided to carry on and will evaluate the situation at the check point.
Posted 9 years ago # -
LeatherLungs
MemberNeil made the check point around 4:00 pm and evaluated the situation with his hand. Having rowed and sailed all day, his hand didn't seem that bad. As a result, he has decided to carry on with the challenge.
He will be staying at CP1 for a few hours as the weather conditions below that point are reported to be poor. They are forecasted to improve by 1:00am. At that point, he may decide to move out and make up the time lost to the very poor weather that has been tormenting participant from the beginning.
Posted 9 years ago # -
LeatherLungs
MemberSpoke with Neil this morning, he is feeling fine and actually got back underway at about 3:30am. Weather conditions had improved and he was moving well under sail. Forecasts suggest that weather should be good for the next two days.
He plans to push through to CP2 and I plan to meet him there and then again at CP3.
Posted 9 years ago # -
LeatherLungs
MemberJust spoke with Neil .. he is in the gulf an moving well ... wind has been variable so he has both sailed and rowed ... in very good spirits and feeling good .. he will start looking for a place to pull in to rest and relax and then make a decision about route and time to restart the voyage.
I still plan to meet him at CP2 if things work out .... and will definately see him at CP3, as it is only a 30 minute drive, while the finish line is only 25 minutes away ... keep your fingers and toes crossed as things are going well at the moment ....
Posted 9 years ago # -
LeatherLungs
MemberFinally spoke with Neil - it has been a very poor day weather wise .. hardly anybody is moving ... he had moved down towards CP2 early in the day but then the winds kicked up and he had to pull in for most of the afternoon .. he tried late afternoon when the winds had subsided a bit but it was still very rough ... he has pulled in again now and is setting up camp for the night ... unfortunately the weather forecast is not great for the next two days ... I will be speaking with him later tonight and if I learn something new I will pass it on ...
Posted 9 years ago # -
LeatherLungs
MemberSpoke with Neil this morning around 8:30am .. just as he was to get underway. Chart shows that he is moving at a good rate towards CP2, which he hopes to clear this afternoon at some point. Current plans are for him to give me a heads up a couple of hours prior to arrival and I will go over to meet him as he comes in .....
Weather again, according to the race manager is windy ... and in a poor direction for people who would like to sail ... although, Neil appears to be under sail at the moment...
Posted 9 years ago # -
LeatherLungs
MemberMet Neil at CP2 at 5:25pm ... Sounds like an odd time but that was the time recorded on the Water Tribe Log book. He looked good and was anxious to get going ... what had taken 3 hours to come in through the islands (against the wind) to the Check Point took about an hour to go back to the Gulf and set up camp. As a result, he is in a good position for the morning, provided the weather begins to cooperate.
Seas today had been a bit rough with 3ft waves but he was able to sail and that is a plus. Let's all say a little prayer tonight for favourable winds for tomorrow... Look how I spelled favourable - Damn Canadian
Posted 9 years ago # -
LeatherLungs
MemberThanks Dave ... it was meant to be a bit tongue in cheek .. I keep this Canadian identity as I'm only in the US 6 months a year ... and I also lived in Alberta for some years.
Neil moving well this morning at over 5 knots .. hope the good winds last ... got a good early start as well ...
Posted 9 years ago # -
LeatherLungs
MemberIf you have been watching the tracking, Neil has been moving every well all day. He had a short period when the winds switched and he was forced to tack for an hour or so, but the winds have switched again and he is continuing to move south at a great rate. [better than 4 knots - around 5 miles per hour if your in a car] In terms of distance covered today, his best so far.
The big weather map I looked at a while ago had a great deal of Florida getting rain, but there would seem to be a thin strip down the west coast that was dry ... and Neil is sailing in this region.
I will likely see him again tomorrow when he arrives in CP3 ... after that he will have around 30 miles left on a 300 mile voyage.
Posted 9 years ago # -
LeatherLungs
MemberAs suspected - I did not speak with Neil this evening due to no cell connection. He has sent a signal that he has camped for the night. I will do an estimated time of arrival at CP3, as it is directly across from me in Florida, [an hour drive].
He has had a great day and I am sure is feeling great about finishing. As the official at CP2 put it, the toughest Challenge they have had in the eleven years they have held the event, because of the weather.
Will let you know more as I acquire more information...
Posted 9 years ago # -
LeatherLungs
MemberStill no direct contact with Neil ... just his tracking device. Last signal sent ealier (9:00 am) he indicated all was well. He is heading directly into the wind today so progress is slow ... I am heading out to CP3 and hope to see him around lunch.
Will report here after I have spoken with him ...
Posted 9 years ago # -
LeatherLungs
MemberMet Neil at CP3 - 1:30 pm - he was in good spirits and good health. Perhaps a little tired, but given what he has gone through over the last few days, perfectly understandable.
He was able to purchase himself a hamburger and fries at the restaurant ... which he wolfed down quickly .. with a few minutes of rest and relaxation, he was off again around 3:00 pm.
The winds are high from the east again today and he will soon have to turn and sail into them ... if he sails into the night he might finish late ... otherwise it will be tomorrow morning. Looks like he will finish second in the overall class 4 boats, but first in that class with only a single crewman as the first boat finishing in that class had two people sailing it. Not bad for a rookie to the competition.
Posted 9 years ago # -
SageBrush
Member"Not bad for a rookie..." Heck, I'd say not bad for a vet! He has done a fantastic job! I've been following his progress from the start and to do this race, especially this year, in an open boat single handed is no small accomplishment.
I hope he takes the time to write up his adventure once he's back home. It should make for a great read.
Posted 9 years ago # -
LeatherLungs
MemberJust spoke with Neil - he is under way agin this morning .. he is 23 miles from the finish, that's a good thing, but is having to go directly into the wind, that's not a good thing. There is little room to tack as the channel is so shallow in so many areas, so he is down to rowing and it is tough to make any headway.
He does have telephone contact with me and we will speak again later this morning to report progress.
Un fortunately the Tribe tracking system is down again ,,,, may come back on line later ...
Posted 9 years ago # -
LeatherLungs
MemberAt 6:30 pm today Neil crossed the finish line to a cheering throng of well wishers. As a result of his finishing, he ended up in first place in his class that being - single hull, sail driven single sailor. The secret can now be divulged. This win was attained inspite of a rather severe injury to his hand, a rather deep cut that required 5 stitches.
The tribe still had food available and he had a fine meal and shower and then further attention to his hand, which faired very well.
I personnally think that Neil's accomplishment is beyond good, approaching fantastic. Injured, a damaged boat and the worst weather in the history of the event and he finished, in first.
A great cheer for the man !!!!!!
Posted 9 years ago #
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