Worrell 1000 will land on Ocracoke Island on Wednesday, May 22

One of the most iconic and dangerous sailboat races in the world is heading to Ocracoke Island and Kill Devil Hills with a 50th-anniversary competition that is shaping up to be bigger and better than ever.

The Worrell 1000, known for its challenging course and demanding conditions, selected Ocracoke Island as a layover for its 50th-anniversary route in 2024. In previous years, the race stopped at Frisco on Hatteras Island before heading to the northern Outer Banks beaches.

“We are thrilled to be selected to host the Worrell 1000 race. Ocracoke Island’s inclusion in this esteemed event not only showcases our island’s breathtaking coastal charm but also highlights our commitment to fostering the spirit of competitive sailing,” said Kenny Ballance, Chair of the Ocracoke Island Tourism Development Authority, in an earlier press release. “We eagerly anticipate welcoming participants, spectators, and enthusiasts to experience the thrills of the Worrell 1000 against the stunning backdrop of our island.”

The Worrell Race technically began in 1974, when the race’s namesake, Michael Worrell, was having a conversation and a few beers with sailing buddies, and the topic turned to the improbability of sailing a catamaran vessel up the East Coast.

That initial beer-fueled conversation turned into action, and two years later in 1976, the inaugural Worrell Brothers Coastwise Race was launched with a total of four teams.

Growing in popularity, the race quickly became a fixture on the sailing scene in the years that followed, and it became world-renowned among sailors with an adventurous inclination.

The rules of the race are deceivingly simple. From southern Florida, competitors head north up the coastline, stopping at 13 checkpoint stops along the way, before finishing at the Virginia Beach oceanfront.

The race plays out in multiple stages, (from checkpoint to checkpoint), and the team with the shortest overall combined time wins.

The race officially launched from Hollywood Florida on Sunday, May 12, with a total of 12 teams from all over the country and the world.

The Outer Banks Checkpoints and dates are as follows:

• Wednesday, May 22: Atlantic Beach, NC to Ocracoke, NC
  Racers will arrive and depart on the beach located at Lifeguard Beach, 1/4 mile north of ORV Ramp 72 in Ocracoke
• Thursday, May 23: Ocracoke, NC to Kill Devil Hills, NC
  Racers will arrive the afternoon/evening of May 23rd; leg to the finish at VA Beach will start at 10 a.m. Friday, May 24th
  Quality Inn Carolina Oceanfront, 401 N. Virginia Trail Dare, Kill Devil Hills
• Friday, May 24: Kill Devil Hills, NC to Virginia Beach, VA

For more information on the Worrell 1000 race, visit the event’s website at https://worrell1000race.com/.