You make some good points, especially for claiming ducks with sending HBD. I think it would work well to have the racers leave a comment after they send the HBD and write the name(s) of the ducks they're claiming. Like this it would give later racers a chance to see what's still available in the case that I haven't updated the racing table yet.
Surely there will be hiccups and possibly disputes, but hopefully nothing concerning the finish line 😉. Haha, well I guess if the interest there I would do daily races, it would be far more profitable and fun than my blog, so who knows. In the beginning I will aim to do a weekly race, and if the ducks constantly sell out I'll be left with no choice but to have more and/or bigger races and prizes.
I think a massive fishing net on a hoop handle will be a crucial tool for the finish line duck catcher. If any ducks make it past the last human, it will be a dangerous mission to catch up to it in the whitewater. You've seen Mindhorn, beautiful, that was a movie I found by accident and laughed a lot watching it.