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Safety
Report, May 10, 2001, Thursday, AM:
Updates/Comments
Received for May 10, 2001, Thursday AM:
From
Safety Officer Elizabeth Tynan
This morning is a little quieter on the
paddling front than yesterday, in spite of the fact that
tornados touched down in Northfield and Rice, MN--about
35 miles away from where the Double Helix Team was this
morning. Never fear, they have "tornado tips"
among their gear--and will be alert, aware, and take appropriate
action if necessary.
Team locations this morning are as follows:
Team
Alaska: Kerm reported at 7:00 that his team
was about a mile below Aitken, just preparing to start the
day's paddle. They had spend about six hours sleeping near
the town of Palisades last night and feel pretty good today.
Kerm said that the biologist-paddler among them (I forgot
to ask which one he is, but will next time we talk) is really
enjoying this trip, compiling a list of all the different
types of birds they see along the way. Not realizing what
a seriously scientific and thoroughly wonderful project
he was engaged in, the Amazon team paddled by yesterday
and yelled across the water, "Hey! What are you guys
doing reading a magazine???" How funny!
Team Amazon:
Ah. . . Tony said they spent the night at a hotel in Aitken,
complete with hot showers and soft beds, which must have
both felt heavenly after five days on the river without
either. At 6:00 a.m., Cynthia and Megan were just preparing
to leave from river mile 1078.
Team Double Helix: Andrew's voice--at 6:20--exuded
energy, enthusiasm, and double the normal amount of "joy
in living." It wasn't long before I found out why.
Race Teams, hear this: Take out at the "SuperAmerica"
station just below the Champion Dam at Sartelle and buy
one of their blueberry muffins. Andrew had just eaten one
this morning before we spoke and felt "on top of the
world."
He
said Clark and Kurt were just then in the process of portaging
around some rapids, at river mile 929, about two miles below
Champion Dam at Sartelle. (With those magical blueberry
muffins, it should be a snap.) He urged all teams behind
them to send their land crews out well ahead to scout out
the rapids, as portaging them is quite a challenge.
All
is well with the team now, though they had a very difficult
portage yesterday at Blanchard Dam. Andrew said the water
near the put-in was "roiling" with surf-like waves
because of the high water, making it impossible to put in.
So Clark and Kurt spent about an hour and a half on that
portage, foraging through brush and barbed wire fences,
before they finally found a safe spot to put in near a stream
that emptied into the river. Even then, it was tough going
getting back down to the water.
Team
Kruger: When Stan phoned at 7:15 he sounded
tired, but was planning to rest soon. Verlen and Bob had
just left from river mile 925, near the last dam at Sauk
Rapids, so they and Team Double Helix are now very close.
I
alerted all teams to the fact that there are thunderstorms,
severe weather, and possible tornados developing again just
to the south of them, though it doesn't look like they will
be close enough by tonight to be affected by the upper edge
of the front. According to the weather channel, yet another
storm system is just to the west of Minnesota now and will
be there in another day or so. We'll keep them posted.
Team
Rebels: Eric called in at 7:30 to say that
they were just preparing to leave from river mile 1278,
near Aiken. They and the Amazons see each other frequently
during the day and have enjoyed some nice companionship
on the river.
Safety
Report, May 10,
2001, 5-7 PM:
Updates/Comments
Received for May 10, 2001, 5-7 PM:
From Don Keller, Official Time Keeper
Team
Alaska 6:05
Kerm called to say the team is trying to get across Brainard
Dam. The lockmaster doesn't know anything about opening
any gate for them, so they are going to use the standard
portage. They will be overnighting at Crow Wing State Park
Team
Amazons 5:45 River Miles 995
Tony said he is waiting for the paddlers below Brainard
at Pot Lock Dam. They will overnight at Crow State Park
Team
Double Helix
7:14 Near Highway 694
Andrew called to inform us they are with Team Kruger. Clark
was being given a tour of the secrets of Kruger's boat Andrew
said after a LONG six days of paddling, everyone is laughing
and trying to unwind. I told Andrew about Team Alaska's
not being able to get the lockmaster to open the gate. Andrew
said if you can get the gate opened and get outside of 8
foot fence, the route is much easier than the portage. Since
you can go around right next to the fence and put in at
a nice sandy beach.
Team
Kruger "3:45" Approx . Near Highway
694
Stan says they are stopping river right approx. 5 minutes
before the Highway 694 and are being timed at the stopping
point by an independent third party. The independent third
party is a canoe shop owner/paddler Ken Ketterer. and accompanying
witnessess. Stan is asking that all teams stop there to
be clocked in, and that all teams be clocked out when they
leave.
He
also stated that if Double Helix does not stop there, he'll
still have the independent party get a time as the Team
goes by. He stated many times he doesn't know if this will
effect the Guinness record, but feels that this is the only
way to maintain the race among the Rett Race teams.
Team
Rebels 6:28
River Miles 1032
Eric said they are pulling up for the night. A laundromat
to wash and dry clothes is at the top of their list. They
will be staying at a motel in Crosby
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From
Elizabeth Tynan, 5/10/01
Due to Stan of team Kruger and Tony Swenson
of Team Double Helix requests, I decided to notify the judges.
At approx 4:05 PM CST on Thursday May 10, 2001 I, Don Keller
left detailed voice mails for Jim Seymore and Hal Marshall.
Hal
could not get in contact with Steve Landick or Jim Seymore
and appointed Elizabeth Tynan (Safety Officer) and Don Keller
(Official Time Keeper and "back up" Safety Officer)
as reserve judges. The judges decided to take the time difference
the teams arrived at Mile 860 into account for the Great
Mississippi River Race for Rett Syndrome, May 2001.
Note
from Chairman and Founder after the Race (June 2001): This
race is an unstaged and nonstop race, as indicated in Rules
1 and 2. All participants signed a rules agreement form
prior to the race agreeing to all rules and safety program.
Judges can not modify rules. The 3 judges selected can not
be altered by anyone other than the Chairman. Therefore
this decision is not valid. The 3 appointed judges will
be contacted and will be asked for a statement to this effect.
See
Race Delays for more information.
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Daily
Updates
For
More Updates, Photos and Videos please the main Race page.
*
and ** - Note on Team Kruger and Team Double Helix - both
teams were stopped 3 times during the race - 2 times by
the Coast Guard, and 1 time by the Sherriff's office. See
Race Delays for more information.
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