blanken@uiucdcs.Uiuc.ARPA (07/31/85)
OK, here's the official RAAM update for day nine. It was last year at this time that the record for the Crossing was set at 9 days 13 hours 13 minutes by Pete Penseyres, a nuclear engineer from California. Today that record was shattered by 11 hours. Johnathan Boyer completed the Race Across AMerica at 2:35pm giving him a time of 9 days 2 hours 6 minutes. Congratulations go out to John and his crew. Michael Secrest was 70 miles back when Boyer crossed the line in Atlantic City. The judges had paced him for two consecutive sub-5 hour centuries stating that he was "riding like mad"...note that during the last two days he spent 15 hours off the bike.... Michael Shermer, in third, is still 304 miles from the finish. He is likely to keep that position....unless of course the women ride very strongly from now until the finish. In the women's division, here are the standings... In first and still riding with speed, is Shelby Hayden-Clifton. She is currently 422 miles from the finish. She has a good chance to win the womens division if she can increase the lead over Notorangelo.... In second and 41 miles back is Susan Notorangelo-Haldeman. She is in perfect position to pull a slingshot on Hayden-Clifton and shoot on by for a victory in the women's division if she moves at the right time....the timing is crucial for a win. In third and 80 miles back is Elaine Mariolle. She really has to work now in order to make up the lost mileage.The race is in no way over for her yet, but it will mean more time on the bike and less time to sleep. Good luck! The women's fisnish should be around 10 days 5 hours, that would be a new record for the women's division as well. But we will have to wait and see... This update is from the official RAAM hotline. Speculation is from E. Blankenburg, Urbana IL.