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July 30, 2000

Dear Friends in Sailing,

Race number 5 could have been the longest race in recorded LIMYRU history. Those of you without a crew suffered the most. Without reading material for between 1-1/2 and 2 hours you had only yourselves to talk to. The Cliff Eames led race committee fortunately stood by their choice and rode out the forecast, so at least what wind there was did eventually whiff out of the north for the upwind legs. Little need for staggered starts; we were all displacement hulls according to Doug Kell.

Concentration and setting the rig up for drifting conditions separated the top finisher, Doug Craib from the rest. Outhaul tight, vang on, down haul tight, just like heavy wind conditions, were the order of the day. Staying clear of other boats and riding the "outgoing tide" to the finish, Doug finished 5 minutes in front of the nearest mono hull and ahead of ALL other boats save one. That one was the Mark and Janet cat whose strategy was to keep their boat moving, regardless of their course and "Mark" placement. It made for some head scratching by the rest of us, but it worked in the "Eggle cat."

Race Highlights-None for the most part except:

- An attempt by Doug Kell Sr. to do a little pre-race fishing with a spinner tangled in his mainsail.

- Great light wind work in the Tom Johnston Lightning to move a 700 lb daysailer to a 4th Portsmouth.

- For the second week in a row, a great effort from Doug Kell Jr. to sail his Force 5 to 3rd Portsmouth.

- The Joe Taylor skippered Laser 2 coming out of nowhere and streaking up wind on the last upwind leg to capture 2nd place Portsmouth. Joe guarantees that all light wind "streaking" is done wearing at least a life jacket. (required for all races)

- Highlights for all the mono hulls was the general tendency of the multi-hulls to maintain their motionless island like stances for minutes at a time. Sorry guys. Except for Mark and Janet, nothing else of note to report.

- A non-highlight was the ice cream truck that followed us around the lake playing that incessant tedious jingle.

- We did have a great turnout for the Kelco ice cream social (my dinner for the evening). The following were discussed:

- Communicate when approaching marks to avoid problems (passed by rules committee).

- If you hit a mark, continue sailing and do a 360 degree turn at the next available opportunity that would not interfere with the rest of the fleet (passed).

- Rule 2.3: Doug Kell Sr. has permanent right of way at all times (not passed though an amended over 50 clause is in the committee discussion faze and has a chance).

- The non-attendance of Dick Laferty at the social now places him as the leading candidate for next year’s commodore position.

Thanks for great attendance at the race and a lot of windless fun.

Mike