The first time since we started racing with the Beulah guys in 2003 we finally won.We have the Cup, (it's a galvanized bucket). John has some new pictures on the web page.

We had 3 races on saturday for individual honors and to establish handicap for the Galvanized cup on Sunday.

Highlights of the weekend.,

John won the first race with Mike in second

Jim finished third in the 3rd race and I got a 4th.

After three races this is how the Lauderdale group stood out of 18 boats. Please note we used a handicap system so not all boats started at the same time. Handicaps were based on how we finished our season then adjusted after each race. I started with the middle fleet each time as did the guy who finished 1st after the three races. (note: I used Bruce's boat #1907 for these races. We weighed our boats while there and found out that the yellow boat I have had for 20 years is now 55 lbs overweight, Bruce's boat was right at 420lbs, the official minimum weight. I believe Mike and Jim's boats were 10-15lbs overweight as well)

Saturday after 3 races:

Peter 2

Dave C 8

Jim 9

John 10

Doug 11

Mike 14 ( 15 lbs overweight)

Des 16 ( 55 lbs overweight in the yellow boat)

Rob 17 Not having a good day, could not sail on Sunday.

The difference between the first boat to finish and the last boat was under 6 minutes for each of the three races. Race two it was less than 2 minutes.

The Galvanized cup race was like our Harry S Truman race. We started in one lake and then took a channel to another.The channel was 1/4 mile long and as narrow as the channel between Green and Middle lakes. Swampy and weedy outside the channel so the wind was ok.

Doug got a great start and he lead us through the channel like an expert. He was 50 yds ahead of me and I did what he did until we got to the weather mark, he went right I went left the center, caught some lucky wind and got out ahead.

Lauderdale finishers in the Galvanized Cup race.

Peter 2

Doug 4

Dave C 6 but was fouled at the finish line, could have had 3rd or 4th. Did I tell you he sailed out of his mind????

John 7

Jim 10

Des 13

Mike 14

The Buelah guy who won the Cup race, started early due to handicap had NEVER won a race since he has been sailing at Beulah. He was high as a kite after that race. Thats the aspect of handicap racing the other Fleets don't get, we all want to win sometimes, it just feels great, so why not share it.

It was a fun weekend, the weather and wind were perfect for scow sailing. Our host were well organized gracious, The best sailors on Beulah did not race this weekend, they were helping on the Race committee. The winner of their season series helped serve lunch, SHE is the mother of two.(she is from a small town, maybe she could be a vice president???)

Thanks