Tybee 500 - World Class Sailors Race from Florida Keys to Georgia

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Articles: Tybee 500 - World Class Sailors Race from Florida Keys to Georgia

Added by damonAdmin on Apr 30, 2010 - 07:30 PM

500 miles in 6 Days up the Atlantic Coast - The Tybee 500 is an extreme sailing endurance race from Islamorada in the Florida Keys to Tybee Island, GA. The annual race begins May 10th at the Islander Resort in the Florida Keys and continues up the coast for six days, arriving on Tybee Island May 15th.

Each day there is a spectacular beach launch through the Atlantic surf that is very exciting for race fans on the scene. After the teams leave the beach the race is covered live on the Tybee 500 website at http://Tybee500.com . Each catamaran will carry the Spot™ satellite tracking beacon enabling a realtime view of the race on the website while the teams are offshore.

Race Schedule: Starts are 10am, finish times vary.

May 10 Start from Islander Resort, Islamorada, FL and finish at Ramada Hollywood Beach Resort, Hollywood, FL.
May 11 Start from Ramada Hollywood Beach Resort, Hollywood, FL and finish at Jupiter Beach Resort, Jupiter, FL.
May 12 Start from Jupiter Beach Resort and finish at the International Palms Resort, Cocoa Beach, FL.
May 13 Start from the International Palms Resort, Cocoa Beach, FL and finish at the La Playa Resort, Daytona Beach, FL.
May 14 Start from the Playa Resort, Daytona Beach, FL and finish at the Amelia Hotel, Fernandina Beach, FL.
May 15 Start from the Amelia Hotel, Fernandina Beach, FL and finish at the Oceans Plaza Beach Resort, Tybee Island, GA.

This will be the 8th annual race, beginning in 2003 where two man teams battle the open ocean, equipment breakdowns, and fatigue to be the first on the beach at Tybee Island. Sailors appear as alien figures wearing their protective gear. Each sailor carries enough food and drink to compete for up to 20 hours, in case light winds keep them offshore longer than expected.

Each team must depend on their own abilities and equipment while they are offshore up to 4 miles and out of site of land or other competitors. Sailors from as far away as The Netherlands will compete in this years race.

Nacra 20 and Formula 18 beach Catamarans carrying an abundance of sail are the tools of the trade. These are not the beach resort catamarans of history but high tech racing machines topping 25 miles per hour. Crews hang from wires called trapeze to balance the power of the wind driving the boat forward.

Arriving or departing beaches in heavy surf is a big challenge and danger to the teams but a very entertaining event for the spectators on the beach. Crowds gather to see the spills and thrills, hoping always for success of those on board.

Sailors are followed up the coast by dedicated ground crews, providing repair materials for broken boats, and each night prepare the boats for the next days racing. These crews travel by motor homes, cars, and trailers tracking their teams all the way. The race brings business to hotels and restaurants along the route and provides spectator viewing for the public.

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Press and Media Links:

Tybee 500 Website: http://www.Tybee500.com

Pictures from the 2009 Tybee 500

http://www.Tybee500.com/2009pictures

All pictures copyright Tybee Island Sailing Association, display permission is granted to media outlets (with attribution).

Footnote: TheBeachcats.com will be reporting live from the race this year.