2023 SAC RESULTS

Posted By: Zak Smith on November 6, 2023

Congrats to everyone for a very successful 2023 SAC! Just doing the preparation and showing up shows a level of dedication and drive that is sorely lacking in the modern world. Actually thriving at the SAC indicates an truly exceptional level of personal and team accomplishment. This year we had zero “rescues” and no significant medical issues– I think our medical staff taped some feet and made sure a few people drank enough water after they went dry on the way back from a mission. This marks a significant improvement in the ability for teams to “take care of themselves” during the race, compared to 5+ years ago. Well done! Thank you all for coming.

The SAC can’t happen without RO’s. Thanks to all the RO’s who came to help: Neil, Walt, Jonathan Thornton, Chris, Seth, Charlie, John Phillips, Mark, Chad, EJ, Aaron, Vinessa, Ben, Tony, and Rick. And of course, Stan. Special thanks to our medical staff: Doc Bruce, Stewart, Monique, and Cheryl. Hunter McWilliams, who had RO’d for us at SS and TS several years, volunteered to be an Assistant Match director at SAC this year. I put a lot of responsibility on his shoulders, with Jimmy being out due to an emergency, and he really stepped up and did a great job. Thanks to our landowners and hosts: Owen, Matt, and Carmen. Having prior year SAC competitors come back and RO in their “off years” is a great help since they “get” what the SAC is and how it works. Thanks again guys.

RESULTS – TOP 5
1. AAL / SIMPKINS
2. WAX / STEPHENS
3. BARTON / HUGHES
4. HOM / HOM
5. FRANTZ / SCARBOROUGH

LINK TO FULL RESULTS: PDF OF FULL RESULTS

For anyone who wants to check out the SPOT tracks, here they are 2023 SPOT TRACKS. I will do some analysis of the leaders for mileage later this week when I catch up.

SPECIAL THANKS TO COMPETITORS

After the normal awards, the competitors and RO’s presented Jimmy (in absentia) and I an award of appreciation for running the SAC for 12 years, which then enabled the community to group up around it. At the first SAC, I don’t think any of us knew what we were getting into– as competitors or as staff. Many of us have made lifelong friends competing in or staffing the SAC. The group of people involved is just so solid. In any case, thank you to Murph, Travis Wills, the Dodds, and all the other competitors and staff who made the award possible. It means a lot to Jimmy and I. Thank you guys. It’s humbling to be a part of a group of such virtuous Americans.