Report from Jack:

Day Three in the books.
Time of 4:04:59. Compares favorably to 2021 at 4:15. Relief at finishing another one. Looks like 27 for me and 23 for Bill.

Something prompted a reread of the NCMC 90 miler history reported by the “editor” after the ‘99 version. Perhaps it was a text from Tommy as he is referred to by the editor. It’s worth a revisit despite its length which was necessary to record the multiple self-inflicted mishaps experienced by the team that year.

This year’s version of mishap was limited to a stolen watch that hours were spent searching for in a motel room in Old Forge leading to the conclusion the proprietor of the hotel stole the watch when he swapped out our TV, which would not turn on so we could watch the Bills. It was warm this year in Old Forge so the door was propped open for air and after the watch magically reappeared in the morning on the floor next to the bed nightstand it was concluded guilt prompted the proprietor to return it quietly in the middle of the night while we paddlers slept. This is the same group who banned Matukituki from their premises, so clearly not to be trusted.

Pit crew duties were admirably manned by Mary despite observing, ”This isn’t exactly like watching football seeing you guys paddle.” And even the meal tickets made to to the finish.
The finish was hopping with biggest crowd observed in years. The meal tent was moved to the extreme western end of the gathering requiring a 30-minute search to locate. Racing pictures where dutifully purchased and recorded our paddles actually planted in the water for the first time in memory, proving we actually do paddle. We complimented the photographer (is it Kurtz?) who chuckled at the observation and asked if we had any other tips to offer. We noted a beaver dam in the background and he said if you look back 10 years you’ll see it’s been there a long time.

Bill set off in the my car for Buffalo after a quick shower with a 7:30 a.m. tee time scheduled at Cazenovia for a best ball masters’ tournament. I waited for our C4 (which was rented out) to arrive at the finish, inspected for damages and returned damage deposit. The boat was paddled by a group from Tully, Utica and Boston. And they expressed much appreciation for the use of the boat.

An accounting of the remains of the rental fee will have to wait until heads clear from post-race celebrations. Some of it was spent on daily race food supplies and the new yoke, but much remains a mystery the editor will undoubtably call an audit for.

Time: 7:15/5:44/4:05/17:05

Time was 17:03 in 2021 and 17:15 in 2019.