I just got back from the OkoumeFest Ultra Marathon. During the trip I had some computer and internet issues so my postings were kind of limited. Sorry for the delays. At least the automatic CP and Finish checkins seemed to work with only a couple needing manual updates.
Many thanks to CrazyRussian for an outstanding job at CP1. He did a great job with all the challengers checking in and made the CP1 location work inspite of the park not allowing anyone to land there.
Thanks to John Harris at Chesapeake Light Craft for making all the arrangements and working out the course. Everyone said that the course was fantastic and want to do the race again next year. We will have another event next year so start planning now.
We had lots of first timers and everyone who started the race finished in good time. Part of that was due to perfect weather --- for the paddlers. The sailors had to do a lot of rowing due to light winds, but they all came through just fine including a 10 year old young man named Corsair. Corsair and his father, Badger, did a great job and had a great time.
Thanks to the National Park Service for all their help. We will be working with them to establish a canoe, kayak, and small boat trail in the Chesapeake.
ArdieO finished first overall in Class 2, Single Male and has set a tough record to beat.
SlowPaddler finished next in Class 2, Single Female and was amazing also setting a tough record to beat. I hope to get some video published soon showing her launch. You won't believe it, but I saw it and filmed it.
RiverSlayer and DaveTheWave finished next in Class 1, Double Male and also captured the first home built award from CLC. They did the Race in a CLC Double Kayak.
All others arrived in very good times which means that next year the race will end one day sooner. Maybe that way some people will stick around for an award ceremony. This year it was canceled because nobody was hanging out an extra day.
FeralCat won the derby award. I have not done a random drawing yet for the second winner but I will do that later today and announce it in this thread.
On the way back I took a couple of days to scout the checkpoints for the NC Pamlico Challenge. This is going to be a tough event that rivals the EC for difficulty and challenging conditions. SandyBottom is doing a great job on this course and I can't wait for the start.