The 2024 Worrell 1000 offshore long-distance beach catamaran sailboat race began in Hollywood, Florida, May 12 and finished 13 days later in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The open ocean race is not only a physical and strategical challenge, but one of mental endurance as well.
Twelve teams hailing from Australia, Germany, France, and the United States began the race, and 11 teams completed the 12 legs up the coast — including the 8th leg between Surfside Beach in South Carolina and Wrightsville Beach.
The leg from Surfside to Wrightsville was approximately 72 nautical miles, with winds on the mild side — 8-10 knots to start, building to 10-15 then dying in the afternoon. Seven teams finished within nine hours while four finished after dark.
The competitors stayed overnight at the Blockade Runner Beach Resort before setting sail for Atlantic Beach the next day.
The half-dozen American teams included Team Rudees from Virginia Beach (4th place) and Team Outer Banks (8th place). Both sailed Nacra F18 Evolutions.
Sailing a Windrush Edge, the race winner was Team Australia 1, Brett Burville and Max Puttman, with a time of 90 hours, 9 minutes and 11 seconds.
Begun informally in 1974, the first organized Worrell race was in 1976 making the 2024 race the 50th anniversary race. The next Worrell 1000 will be held in 2026.