nd they’re off! Eleven sea turtles set out for the Galapagos Islands TODAY after nesting on Costa Rica’s Playa Grande. On Day One, the Great Turtle Race already promises to be quite a competition.

Quick off the beach, Windy took the early lead, proving she’s determined not to let a few bumps and bruises hold her back. Like Windy, many sea turtles get hurt by boat propellers and fishing nets, lines, and hooks. But with a strong kick and a shoulder on the mend, Windy is hauling through the water at a speedy four-mile-per-hour pace.

Close on Windy’s flippers is the big and beautiful Stephanie Corburtle. Ms. Stephanie is one of many leatherbacks who have stayed away from the race in recent years; the number of turtles nesting on Playa Grande has dwindled by more than 90 percent in just a decade. Race experts now speculate that Stephanie was holed up in training and preparing for her comeback.

In an unusual turn of events today, Champiro, the turtle known for her stellar sense of direction, made a dive to 300 feet beneath the surface. Frontrunner Windy also plunged to 275 feet midday. They might have been snacking on jellyfish. To no one’s surprise, Hollywood starlet, Drexelina, got off to slow start after the paparazzi flashed photographs incessantly in her face at the starting line. Turtles are often disoriented by lights on the beach. Drexelina and Sundae are currently in last place.

Tuesday, April 17:

Great Turtle Race Logo

About halfway through Day Two of The Great Turtle Race, Windy is in the lead, with Stephanie Colburtle trailing 23 miles behind in second.

Billie follows Stephanie just one short mile back. In a race that’s nearly 500 miles long, this is still anybody’s game.

Bringing up fourth is Purple Lightning, with Genevieve four miles behind. Closely bunched in the middle of the pack are Freedom, Champiro, Turtleocity and Saphira. Sundae and Drexelina bring up the rear.

Keep checking http://www.greatturtlerace.com/ throughout the day. The site is updated every ten minutes so you'll get the very latest on your turtle’s progress.

To get daily race commentary, visit Mr. Leatherback at http://www.myspace.com/mrleatherback. And be sure to check out http://www.topp.org/ to pick up your turtle’s widget to put on your blog. Remember, turtles need friends!

Wednesday, April 18:

Great Turtle Race LogoThe results are in, and early leader Windy continued to strut her stuff on Day Two of The Great Turtle Race. Spectators are now questioning whether she has the endurance it takes to go the distance.

Though still in first place, Windy slowed to 1.7 miles per hour. Now her scrappy competitors are closing in and fast. Rested and ready to rumble, Billie surpassed Stephanie Colburtle for the No. 2 spot. Miffed that a far smaller turtle was swimming past her, Stephanie dove to 314 feet. With three turtles taking the plunge in just two days, scientists speculate that a bunch of jellyfish must be distracting them...or they're overheated from their sprints and are diving to cooler waters to chill out.

A tight middle pack includes Genevieve, Freedom, Champiro, and Purple Lightning. That pits veteran, four-time finisher Freedom against Playa Grande rookie Purple Lightning. It’s also got the crowd whispering about Genevieve’s rumored run-in with a cookie-cutter shark, the likely cause of a mysterious large hole in her front flipper. Leatherback sea turtles have good eyesight underwater that usually helps them avoid predators like sharks. This has race fans wondering if Genevieve’s vision is a concern to be followed. Genevieve’s eye doctor had no comment today when asked about her patient’s vision.

Saphira, Turtleocity, Drexelina, and Sundae are chugging away at the back of the bunch. But remember, fans: It’s a 500-mile marathon, not a sprint.

To learn more about sea turtles and to check out the updated Great Turtle Race website, visit http://www.greatturtlerace.com/.