Historically this regatta has been HOT and the winds have been inconsistent at best. However, 2003 was nearly perfect, 18 Boats arrived on the starting line for the first race. We would like to thank everyone that attended this event; we had boats from Lake Lotawana (MO), Lake Winnebago (WO), and Lake Jacomo (KC). We did miss our friends from Lake Fenton (LF) and Lake Davenport (LD) at this year’s event.

The first day of racing the wind was 5 – 10 from the North, most of the time, with occasional rest periods. The courses on Saturday were I 2 laps.

The first race saw numerous lead changes on every leg of the course with Spencer Brackman crossing the line in first place. This race was shorted providing us with a downwind finish. After a short lunch break back on the water for two additional Races.

Race two the wind was steadier, with some significant wind shifts with the puffs. Both upwind legs provided some close action with the fleet splitting right and left on the racecourse. Boats on the left were challenged by the shore or the starboard tackers. Boats on the right benefited from a nice right hand shift half way up the weather leg. Downwind boats were gybing in every direction searching for clear air and puffs. As the fleet rounded, the leeward mark headed for the finish. Bob Cooley, in his trademark yellow boat, rounds in 6^th or 7^th, goes way left and capitalizes on a favorable wind shift to win the race. Within in minutes 2/3 of the fleet finish with nearly everyone being overlapped. There was a lot of tight racing out there.

Race 3 is much the same right after the start; fewer boats go left with the pack sailing up the middle. As the wind begins to soften, it shifts to the right allowing a few boats to roar to the weather mark. Downwind the majority of the fleet sail on port tack sailing slightly left of the rumb line, Brian Tillema and Dave Cooley are the first to gybe to starboard to round the leeward mark headed for the finish line with Dave Cooley taking line honors.

Sunday morning the wind has shifted to the South-East and is a steady 8 – 12, the race committee moves the course to the south end of the lake and sets up C course with 2 laps.

The starts were vital today, the increased wind all the boats were moving very well. The puffs would bring a 5-10 degree shift some times from the right, sometimes from the left. The middle was the place to be, although at times a little on the crowded side. The racing on Sunday was always very close with several lead changes on every leg. Spencer Brackman wins race #4 and Chris LaBord wining race #5.

Overall the event was a great success, the winds were favorable, the race committee set great courses, and the competition was good. A great time was had by all, hope to see some new faces on Lake Jacomo in 2004.

Ken Kuse

KC 27