Catamaran race at sunrise
The enduring legacy of the Worrell 1000 makes landfall in Kill Devil Hills on May 23rd, marking the 12th leg of its 23rd edition. Going from strength to strength over the years are 12 participating teams, representing five countries, collectively covering a staggering 1000 miles racecourse on catamarans, from the sands of Hollywood Beach Marriott in Florida to the shores of Vaughan, Virginia.
Born from a bar-room wager between two brothers in 1974, the journey of the Worrell 1000 is as thrilling as the race itself. The inaugural “Worrell Brothers Coastwise Race” was held in 1976. The first edition of the race ran in a 24-hour continuous format, from 1976 to 1982, where the participating teams on the Hobie 16’s undertook a grueling, extreme test of not just sailing skill, but also immense physical and mental strength as they navigated along the coast, aiming to cover as many miles as possible.
In 1983, future iterations witnessed significant change. The original, adrenaline-packed format was altered into a 13-checkpoint race incorporating overnight stops at 12, with a grand finish in VA Beach. This change amplified the race’s media visibility, saw increased spectator excitement at each starting and ending point, and indeed allowed the teams to gain some much-needed rest and showcase their sponsors to an expanding audience.
This year, the world-renowned event marks a significant milestone, its 50th anniversary. For the occasion, veterans, enthusiasts, and sailing aficionados from the 70s, 80s, and 90s have been invited to join in the celebration of half a century of adventure out at sea. The event is expected to draw vast live broadcast audiences, given that previous iterations have raked in more than 20,000 views daily.
The ethos that underpins the Worrell 1000 remains the same even today. There is no prize money to be won; instead, the sailors compete for the unparalleled camaraderie that transpires over the course of each leg, the unbreakable bond every team forms with themselves, their ground crews and competitors. However, the cherry on top is the glory that permeates upon finishing what is recognized as one of the most sought-after extreme distance races in the world.
With the clock ticking and excitement building up, Kill Devil Hills is set to witness a spectacle like none other when the contestants touch the shore on the May 23rd afternoon before continuing into the surf at 10:00am the next morning. The adrenaline-infused rush is anticipated to captivate not just the participants and spectators present, but also those joining in from around the world.