Duncan Ross (EDGE SAILING TEAM) and Roberto Pandiani joined forces to complete the Leg - Miami /New York a total of 1300 miles.

The first 1000 miles of this leg were covered as part of The ATLANTIC 1000 which is made up of the Tybee 500 and the OBX 500 races.The remaining 300 miles were covered in cruising mode. For pictures check the gallery.

24 May 2004

61 miles

Kill Devill Hills NC to Virginia Beach VA

300 miles lay ahead to the city of New York. With much of the hype of the Atlantic 1000 gone we looked forward to an easy sail – no stress, no pressure. Our departure on today was interrupted by an unexpected repair to the trampoline that kept us in the sail makers until 11 am. We set out shortly after mid day and enjoyed the warm land breeze as we 2 sail reached along the shoreline. What a pleasure to not HAVE to go out on trapeze and drive the boat as hard as you can! The wooden beach houses were endless – I have never seen a coastline so populated - one house after the next - amazing also how they are allowed to build their houses on the waters edge?!

Later we got bored and put up the spinnaker and got some speed going – the water changed colour and temperature and before we new it we could see the Virginia beach Skyline. A quick and easy day.

25 May 2004

17 miles

Virginia Beach VA to Cape Charles VA

The warm land breeze continued and we pushed off confident to cross the Chesapeake Bay entrance and head for Chincoteague 60 miles away. Luck was not on our side and as we worked offshore, the breeze died. The sea went glassy and we pottered along at little over 3 knots - choosing channel markers as waypoints in the blue haze. I managed to film a dolphin jumping right clear of the water in a vertical leap – which probably was the highlight of the day.

We made it across and on reaching Smith Island decided that there was no way we would reach our destination and decided to head for shore. Sounds simple - but the closest shore was an in-accessible barrier island – the accessible shore was 6 miles inland. We also had to find a convenient spot to meet the ground crew. This we found after sailing under a bridge – Sunset Beach Motel (how I love Best Western !). The ground crew had headed off to Chincoteague and had to back track to meet us. The manager agreed to let us check in with out credit card deposit – I reckon we were authentic enough dressed in our sailing gear!

26 May 2004

45 miles

Cape Charles VA to Chincoteague VA

The forecast was for thunderstorms and light variable winds – a massive downpour sucked up all the wind there was in the early morning. We headed off in a virtual dead calm – with lots of enthusiasm – that’s about it – 45 miles to go. We passed the bridge again, a little nervously because the tide might have been different – but our mast cleared the trusses by about a metre – whew!

On reaching the barrier islands we decided to take the inside option and turned left into the Inter - Coastal waterway. Here we took advantage of the flatter water and land breeze. It was a pleasant sail that involved some paddling and sandbank dodging. Later we decided to get outside to the open sea, as navigation was becoming complicated. We scooted up the outside passing literally metres from the shore. It was perfect – a beam reach on the breaker line. We dodged manta rays, turtles, dolphins and disturbed zillions of birds on the beach. These barrier islands are absolutely pristine and uninhabited and form part of a nature reserve. I got the feeling we were experiencing something special.

Later our lofty spirits crashed as a mist rolled in and the wind died. Flop Flop – a bit of paddling and a few hours of desperate spinnaker tacking saw us get back to land. The breeze filled in from the sea and we started a long upwind leg to reach Chincoteague. Suffice to say - long enough so that when the sun set - we were still far from arriving. At snails pace we tacked backwards and forwards eventually passing the NASA centre on Wallops Island – which looked like something out of Star Wars (antennas, lights, towers etc)

The glow of Chincoteague got brighter and eventually we saw the lighthouse. We tentatively approached – avoiding the sandbanks by the sound of the breakers. It was not an easy landfall and at one stage we ran aground on a sandbank and had to get out and push. The city lay behind and island so our vision was obstructed.

At 22h00 we got back into the principal Inter coastal waterway canal – and found a small dock to pull Satellite out of the water. It was a long, frustrating and beautiful day.

27 May 2004

40 miles

Chincoteague VA to Fenwick Island DE

Woke up a bit tired today – could have been a rest day – but we pushed onwards. We made a rendezvous with the ground crew at Fenwick Island Lighthouse right on the Delaware/Maryland border.

We again had light breeze initially from the shore. On sailing out the entrance of Chincoteague we saw for the first time what it looked like – wow - to imagine we had sailed in here the night before – the entrance was quite narrow with sandbanks everywhere – I was impressed we managed to only run aground once ?! Luck or good navigation – you take your pick?!

Once off shore a light sea breeze filled in and we were just able to hold the spinnaker – sailing parallel to the shore again literally 30 m from it. I slept a lot on the boat and was feeling fatigued and eventually put on my dry suit to stay warm. I don’t think I have every seen so many dolphins as we did today. The Assateague Island National Seashore was deserted except for fisherman and surfers. It seemed to never end, as we made 4 knots northwards.

Later in the day the Ocean City, MA skyline appeared and shortly after that we stopped a few blocks away from Fenwick Island Lighthouse.

28 May 2004

55 miles

Fenwick Island DE to Ocean City NJ

Funny how you never know where you are going to stop when you start a day like this. Today we had earmarked 3 options - Rehoboth Beach, DE, Wildwood or Ocean City, NJ. We set off hugging the coast and made a good run to Rehoboth Beach. The Delaware Bay entrance (15 miles wide) lay ahead of us and after a quick call to the ground crew we started to head across. They took the ferry to Cape May which lay on the other side, on the southernmost tip of New Jersey.As we headed away from the coast the wind died in a glassy haze.

We however kept up a few knots average and soon the Cape May lighthouse was visible. As we approached we saw that there was a massive current charging into the Delaware Bay. It got stronger as we approached the lighthouse. Huge swirls and eddies were visible and if it wasn’t for the increase in pressure (wind) as we approached the shore I think we would have been swept into the Delaware Bay. The geographical effect of the wind here was quite incredible. We were able to sail along the shore without changing the setting of our sails – even although the coast changed all of 90 degrees!

Wildwood (where I raced a US Hobie 16 Nationals in 1993) has to be one of the ugliest shorelines ever. Looking like something Gotham City (ex Batman) it has amusement parks, rollercoaster’s, water towers , piers and casinos right on the beach. The breeze freshened and we were making good time. Ocean City was looking a good option.

Soon we were there and pulled up onto the north side of Corson’s Inlet. Matt Judge – ground crew for Team OZ during the Tybee 500 had offered us some shore support here in the form of his parents’ home. We were well received and had a pleasant dinner with the family. It had been a good run – so easy when you have the right wind!

29 May 2004

55 miles

Ocean City NJ to Mantaloking NJ

The forecast was looking good with 10 to 15 knot offshore. Rendezvous was set at Mantaloking approximately 65 miles way. It was a fast sail with gutsy winds – first Atlantic City – the gambling capital with its fairytale casinos. Then the barrier islands, Barnegat Lighthouse and inlet - fishing boats everywhere (it is Memorial Day weekend). Next – ‘America at the beach’ and Stars and Stripes everywhere – we nearly capsize in a strong gust – its uncomfortable sailing – concentration maxed out.

We eventually reach our rendezvous zone – the ground crew is battling to find a hotel. We too are battling to choose a place to stop - where we won’t take out a few people on the beach in the process. We eventually choose a spot – it’s hardly ideal – a steep shelving beach – with a nasty beach break. The approach is tricky as it’s upwind. As we get close a wave builds behind us and I think great – we will surf this one in. My happiness is short-lived as I see the beach suck dry in front of me. We stick the nose into the dry sand and for a moment think we are history – but miraculously we don’t pitch pole. Big Bob nevertheless flies forward into the daggerboard and bruises his forearm – whew!

Some kids help us pull the boat up the beach and a friendly NJ family offer for us to leave the boat in front of their house for the night.

30 May 2004

35 miles

Mantaloking NJ to Sany Hook NJ

The end is in sight (almost) – Sandy Hook Bay lies 17 miles from Downtown Manhattan. We set off and again the breeze is good – onshore about 10 knots - a beam reach with spinnaker. Again ‘America at the beach’ and everybody fishing or taking their boat out for the yearly run around – busy! Approaching Sandy Hook Point we saw the New York Skyline – spirits rose. It’s always a good feeling to make a landfall or to approach a destination by sea. Out with the video camera – we film until we run out of it!

We turn the corner and head in towards the beach. The Sandy Hook Catamaran Club is having some races and as we get to the beach we see the coloured sails everywhere. It’s a comforting thing somehow. Ground crew delivers a bottle of Vueve Clicquot - we have arrived. 300 miles in 6 days.