Saturday they started to arrive. More on Sunday. In an orderly flow. And by the end of the day, it looked like over 90 C-boats, 18 M-16’s and maybe 15 M-20/I-20’s. About a dozen C’s made it out to practice in a sunny Sunday 5-10 southwesterly. Registration was no hassle. But everyone wanted to buy the yellow volunteer shirts with the regatta logo designed by Beulah’s Jeff LaBonte; they had to settle for the white ones. Geneva’Steve, Mary Jane and Dennis Schalk got the parking lot cleared and organized to accept the arrivals - with the E’s and MC’s coming Wednesday. Regatta chairperson Suzi Reese has orchestrated a grand event on this majestic lake (with as little powerboat chop throw-in as possible).

In ever popular Class C, great participation is here from Cedar Lake, Wisconsin with 7 boats (but Dave Baldus counts for 2), Beulah 12, Okachee 4, Long Lake, Illinois 5, Minnetonka 8, Okoboj, Iowa 8, Upper Minnetonka 5, and Pewaukee 11. This augments the Geneva contingent of 15. Returning is Jerry Huse with "Schussboomer" (P-1). Jerry has attended every ILYA Championship in Class C since 1952 except one. It is an event he has won four times, and placed second five. He’s in great spirits, ready to compete with Inland’s best….and the Inland is the best!

Also among the competitors later in the week is legendary Buddy Melges of the Geneva club; he’ll compete with wee bit older boats in Class E and Class A. He is the last American helmsman to win the America’s Cup in 1992. Buddy has also earned two Olympic medals, Gold in 1972 and Bronze in 1964, in addition to back-to-back world championships in the Star class, as well as numerous scow and iceboating championships.

So….it’s a go…..heads up! See you here………….………M. Kurzawa