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Iconic Sailboat Race Returns
After 2,002 superb runs to Virginia Beach from the south of Florida, the Worrell 1000 sailboat race came to an end in 2010. This year, the Worrell 1000 has made a comeback after a group of sailors who used to take part in the race decided to give it a new lease on life and started Worrell 1000 Reunion Race Inc. After nearly nine years of dormancy, the iconic sailboat race is once again happening through a collaboration between Worrell 1000 Reunion Race Inc. and Sail Series Promotions USA Inc., also a non-profit organisation. The “Worrell 1000 Reunion Race” was conceived with the ultimate goal of bringing back the Worrell.
The Worrell 1000 Through Time
The Worrell 1000 is a long-distance offshore catamaran sailboat race that covers around 1,000 miles with overnight stops at several coastal locations. It was first launched by Michael Worrell in 1976 from Virginia Beach. The launch point was the Worrell Brothers Restaurant and Bar, owned by Michael and his brother, Chris. The race kept going from strength to strength and in 2002 a course record was set by Jamie Livingstone and Brian Lambert who achieved 71 hours, 32 mins and 55 sec.
Setting Sail Once Again
Initially, four teams signed up for the newly revived Worrell 1000 race but Team Buoy 44 recently withdrew. Led by former Worrell-winner Brian Lambert, it was unfortunate that the logistics required to take part in the race were too much for the team to handle at the time – their boat is located in Texas and one of the team members just welcomed a baby to their home. Even though only three teams took part in the race, Worrell veterans are positive that it is merely a modest start to something great.