I think there must be leeway or currents because on my first Spindrift attempt, the same thing happened to me. It turned out good because it encouraged my restart during this north wind. I still feel good, even though I've dropped into 2200's, the #'s 1,5 and 10 players are nearby and I can learn watching them.
I think everyone who started during the peak of the storm, immediately shot to the top of the rankings, but the front may pass them by, that's my theory, at least.
It would be nice to have a ranking of only folks using bare bones features.
Looks like the real thing may start its attempt, it shows up on the map now. http://www.spindrift-racing.com/news/code-vert-tjv-en