Storms didn’t stop Low Country Hook Race from Hilton Head to Savannah

The Yacht Club of Hilton Head Island, in conjunction with the Skidaway Island Boating Club, concluded its second annual Low Country Hook Race over the weekend, and there was no shortage of drama on the high seas.

Bound by harsh weather, crew members took precautionary measures to stay safe while trying to power their way to victory.

“You try to be as safe as you can, but you also want to compete,” Hilton Head resident Hap Todd said.

“We kept an eye on the weather, and we try to make the boat move as quick as we could.”

Savannah native Gabrel Cease, along with Dave Brown, Darrell Tutchton, Shane McCarthy, Steve McCarthy and Michael “Mad Dog” Doyle, came in first place in the Spinnaker group, the most coveted class to compete in.

Cease accepted the winning plaque on behalf of the team but praised all of the members for their hard work.

“I just want to tell them thank you,” Cease said. “It was an awesome job by the entire crew.”

Riding on their boat High Visibility, the team finished in just under four hours.

“I was not surprised because that’s what you’re supposed to do,” Cease said. “We beat another boat that gives us time by three minutes. We were fast.”

Cease also was relieved his team was on land before the storm worsened.

“We did not expect the event to be canceled,” Cease said. “The forecast had been worse in the days prior to the event. But then the forecast lightened up, so we didn’t feel as though we’d be bothered by it. But at the end of the day, you never know what can happen when a thunderstorm is projected to be coming your way. And the one that came through here was a stunning storm. I am just glad that we were tied up at the dock and finished by the time the storm came.”

Twenty-eight boats took off from Hilton Head and ended their race at the Landings Harbor in Savannah. The event saw sailors from all over the world, including Cuba, London and Poland.

Masterpiece finished first in the Non-Spinnaker Section A group, while Merlin the Wizard took home the trophy in the Non-Spinnaker Section B group.

With nearly five decades of experience under his belt, Cease said the tranquility, pristine waters and picturesque setting keep him coming back year after year.

“It’s not necessarily the racing,” Cease said. “It’s peaceful and serene. One of the most amazing things is if you take people sailing and you get the sales up and turn the engine off they look around and say, ‘this is pretty cool.’ ”

This story was originally published July 30, 2017 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Storms didn’t stop Low Country Hook Race from Hilton Head to Savannah."