It had already sailed a hundred feet or so before the watchers on the mainland discovered the fact.
As for the striving contestants they were too intent upon the race to perceive the strange turn of affairs until the wild mirth upon the "mainland" apprised them of it.

They must have looked funny enough from the shore frantically pursuing the fugitive turning post, and the unhallowed joy of the spectators was only increased by Pee-wee's heroic efforts in the emergency as with a long pole he strove to stay the progress of the recreant island.

Failing in these herculean efforts, he still tried to save the day by shouting to the racers.
"_Keep up_! _Keep up_!" he yelled.

"You can go around it.

You're going faster than the island is.