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Race Course Mississippi River

Day 23, Sunday, May 27, 2001
Safety Summary, All Team

Safety Report, 5-7 AM:

Team Name Date Days in Route Location Number Nearest City/State Navigation Mileage Time called in Total River Miles Position estimated Alaska 5/27/01 Sun 23 Loc 1 Hickman, KY Mile 925 6:30 AM 1378 Third Double Helix** 5/27/01 Sun 23 Loc 1 Waterproof, LA Mile 383 6 AM 1920 Second Kruger* 5/27/01 Sun 23 Loc 1 LA Mile 266 7:30 AM 2037 First 1984 Record 5/19/84 23 Loc 1 New Orleans, Louisiana Mile 94.5 2:15 PM 2208.5

Updates/Comments 5-7 AM calls
Mary Potter, Webmaster and Event Organizer:

Team Alaska - Kerm called and said, well, we are at the same place I called from last night, mile 925 in Hickman Kentucky. All had a good night's sleep and were not anxious in the morning to head off into the wind again. Apparently yesterday there were strong winds, up to 30 and 40 mph but the team was able to stay on the leeward side of the wind. The high winds complicated take out places.....the crew is not looking forward to more windy paddling and is hoping for the best (or at least a few more minutes of sleep as Kerm goes around making as much noise as he can to get folks going :-)).

Team Double Helix - Andrew called from Mile 383 in Waterproof, LA! Last evening as Andrew and the road crew were walking towards the water, a family approached them - Johnny, Cookie and Amy I believe he said - and said "thank goodness!" To make a long story short, their boat was no longer working and they needed a lift to their trailer/cabin. The road crew was happy to take them down river in the zodiac. In return, the family gave them advice about a much better camp site :-) and all were happy. Once at the trailer, the road crew was offered some water, soda and a hot shower. Later that evening this kind family came to the campsite with Kentucky Fried Chicken (a favorite of the paddlers) for 6, and a $50 check for Rett syndrome research as well as $20 for the paddlers to put towards trip expenses. Although the team insisted it was too much, the family insisted they were happy to help. Andrew says the family has offered all hot showers in the morning and the team will take them up on their generous offer :-)

Andrew said last night as the team was getting ready to get some shut eye, there was some discussion as to whether or not tent flies had to be put up in case of rain, and whether or not gear could be left outside to dry off and Andrew, great sage that he is, predicted there would be no rain tonight in Waterproof LA! And he was right :-)

Team Kruger - Stan called in from mile 266, 7:30 AM CST from Louisiana! Stan reports the weather is "fine" and that the paddlers paddled through the night. Current has slowed considerably.

Safety Report 5-7 PM:

Team Name Date Days in Route Location Number Nearest City/State Navigation Mileage Time called in Total River Miles Position estimated Alaska 5/27/01 Sun 23 Loc 2 Mile 847 Mile 847 1456 Third Double Helix** 5/27/01 Sun 23 Loc 2 New Roads, LA Mile 298 6:30 PM 2005 Second Kruger* 5/27/01 Sun 23 Loc 2 Baton Rouge, LA Mile 3:30 PM First 1984 Record 5/19/84 23 No Location 2 listed

Updates/Comments, 5 to 7 PM Calls
Mary Potter, Webmaster and Event Organizer:

Team Alaska - Kerm called from mile 847 and reported he made stir fried supper for everyone! Kerm said that was something he could cook, so he did! Wind was not bad today, and the team at one point did 40 miles in 4 hours. Currents are high, and Kerm says he believes they are riding the crest of the flood now and have been doing so for about the last 3 or 4 days. He expects the team will get ahead of the crest tomorrow and he expects the team to do their first 100 mile day tomorrow. May they surf well :-)

Team Double Helix - Andrew called at 6:30 PM CST at mile 298 i New Roads, LA and was expecting kayakers to arrive there later tonight at 11 or so. He expects the kayakers will sleep on shore since they have gone over 100 miles today. Andrew reported Don Keller had brought Bill Evans to the team this morning at about 4 AM and Bill was a welcomed addition to the road crew!

Team Kruger- Stan called and said the paddlers were at Baton Rouge, LA at 3:30 PM. He is waiting for the paddlers at Plaquemine, LA and said 6 cars in total had now joined Team Kruger in a show of support for Bob and Verlen (paddlers). Folks joining the procession were family members. Good luck Team Kruger!

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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.

*** Note on Total Miles: For purposes of our site, we compile total miles as the total river miles the teams have passed. If teams take legal shortcuts, we note it on that date, but do not reduce total miles. Please see the May 9 report for more information.

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