According to the "Forward" (hmmm...) of the APBA 2004 Offshore Competition Rules, the core element of an APBA race is their " 'Apocalypse Now Effect' - With up to 15 TV and rescue helicopters flying directly overhead less than 50 feet off of the water and on the decks of the race boats as they scream through the “stadium”, the visual senses of the fans are stimulated beyond anything ever experienced at a typical motorsports event."

Well, the only thing apocalyptic about St. Cloud was that there were no helicopters.

"Hey, we can do without choppers," you may think. But APBA thinks helicopters are of utmost importance.

Namely, and we quote their regs again, because of "safety – these stadium courses, although more challenging and potentially more dangerous, ORL commits greater rescue and safety assets to the teams than ever before."

Really?

So they have these potentially more dangerous “Stadium Style Racing™” events, and there's no Dustoff in the air?

"Indeed, the Air/Sea Rescue program is entertainment in and of itself as rescue divers deploy from helicopters from 20-50 feet above accident scene mere yards from the spectators."

That entertainment did not happen. Thank God.

You are correct there were no helicopters. But three United airlines planes passed over us at the point during the race....

Kidding aside, there was lottsa conversation around us asking where they were.

Personnally I missed the WINK and Freeze Frame helos..

I for one am glad helos were not needed...

My congrats go to the race organization team.. The raceswere to start at 1pm and sharply at one pm they started out of the channel to the course.

The 2nd race was scheduled for 3pm and damn..they started again on time at 3pm...barely enough time between races to run back to beach area get a sausage and drink..and return..

Sadly I missed the winners of the first race getting the flags due to the tight timing...(or my slow walking)

The lack of choppers didnt even cross my mind until the last lap. I noticed freeze frame wasnt airborn and then realized there were no rescue choppers either.

Its a good thing there were no mishaps...such a large course and lack of patrol boats would have delayed a rescue.

A great event nevertheless.