Randy Smyth (aka SewSew) has completed 8 Everglades Challenges and has won many Worrell 1000s. He would have an interesting perspective on both races! I don’t think he did the UFC, the river section and 40 mile portage are not for everyone.
Randy is fantastic and we have sailed some of the same events since in the 70s. He has built some great sails for a couple of my boats
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Did they at least carry the canoe with them throughout the journey?
Not required to, but they did carry their portage cart and gear for the time that they were in the canoe.
Some of the rules of these races may seem arbitrary, because they are. They are at the whim of Chief, who came up with and implemented the concept of the Watertribe events. Some of the rules are more fluid than others. Some people have taken issue with the somewhat arbitrary nature of the rules.
Gotcha… just curious. for the Yukon 1000 we were required to carry everything we would need for the entire distance
I think the only account I’ve read is sharkchows book
Normally that is the case (ie in the Everglades Challenge) but for the UFC you are allowed resupply at designated stage points, and class 4 or 5 boats (mono or multihull sailboats) can change to a class 1 or 2 boat (kayak/canoe) for the river and portage. Their choice whether or not to change back on reaching the Gulf.
I can’t imagine doing a 40 mile portage! These guys flew through it but not without some foot and blister issues. I know they were super glad to get back on the river and even more glad to switch back to the sailboat!