The leg to Fernandina Beach began with a 10 - 12 knot Southerly breeze which built to 15 - 20 during the morning. Boats started in a rough surf with breakers topping six feet. Team Velocity suffered rudder damage early, possibly because of the surf, and had to hit the beach for repairs costing them more than twenty minutes early on in the leg. Team Tybee was first to arrive after six hours of reaching, with the rest of the fleet finishing in the next forty five minutes. Team Seacats had an unfortunate capsize on the approach to the finish line, but recovered after being passed by the close following Team Marleys White. Team Cat in the Hat also capsized about a half mile from the finish, and ultimately dismasted. No one was injured, but the boat was a wreck. Undaunted, Team Cat in the Hat and two ground crew dragged what was left down the beach to an official finish. The determined sailors have repaired their boat, and plan to start the final leg to Tybee Island tomorrow.

The teams are lined up for the start in Daytona Beach

The starting area is hectic just a few minutes before the gun

Team Tybee won the leg today, and this push didn't hurt their effort

Team Cat Fever and Cat in the Hat battle for position at the start

After trailering their boat to Daytona, Team Marleys Orange show tremendous poise coming in third to the finish in Fernandina

Team Velocity overcame a broken rudder and a 35 minute repair to finish fifth, just 26 minutes behind the first place boat

Team Cat Fever brings their Hatteras style to Florida

Team Seacats was leading Team Marleys White until they flipped over about 500 yards from the finish

Team Cat in the Hat gets a little bit of help getting across the finish line after being dismasted about a mile from the finish

These guys are tired as hell, but full of heart

The weather reports for tomorrow are varied. The only certainty is an early start at 0900 for the final leg of this grueling 500 mile race.