The racing ended today…. in a search for wind. The only race not completed out of the thirty-five scheduled. And with it, the ILYA Championships for 2000.

In Class A, the Buddy Melges "Kanza" team’s (I-1) bid to win it all faded yesterday as her mast snapped (a damaged spreader suspected as the cause). Although replacement (with a mast laying about the Melges shop for ages and prepared for painting) was completed by her hard working crew within hours, today’s cancellation prevents another race, and thus a throw-out in the scoring - awarding them third (1,4,1,1,dnf) behind John Porter (I-49) first (2,1,2,2,1), with brother Brian, Harry and Hans Melges, Corbet Porter, and Bill Freytag on jib. Rob Evans (M-100) comes second (3,2,4,5,2). Tom Burton (M-1) takes home fourth 6,3,5,3,3, and Madison’s Bill Mattison with Lon Schoor (H-714) fifth. Inadvertently, no race today postponed another break; this time to David Bohl’s "Piranha" (V-969). On their first race back home on Pewaukee and in the final weekend of racing for their club championship, the main halyard broke (above the ball) on the first windward leg (a matter of fatigue as the ball passes over the top sheave, time and time again – what one gets for sailing too often). Again the repair was quickly made, tying the sail up while the boat rested on her side. But the failure cost them contention for the series. Fate takes no holiday. They’ll next meet at Pewaukee September 16-17 for the "Worlds" - all assembled and ready to go again. These are truly great boats to sail…. and watch in competition.

In Class E, the Championship in this 75-boat fleet went to Rob Evans (M-1), Buddy Melges (I-1), second; Brian Porter (I-49), third; Tom Burton (M-9), fourth; and Bill Allen (M-4), fifth. The fleet heads next to their National Championship on Little Egg Harbor at Beach Haven, New Jersey, September 7-9^. Then the Blue Chip at Pewaukee, September 23-24. Thirty-four new boats were built for the 2000 season. More planned for 2001 as local fleets continue to grow and word of the exciting racing in this class travels fast. At this year’s "Inland" fifteen fleets represented the class with the greatest participation from Minnetonka, Pewaukee and Geneva.

In Class C, Chris Pinahs (E-99) led his Okauchee crew of Bob Prange and Barbara Pomierski to the ILYA Championship over 92 other entries – with finishes of 10,2,7,9,13,5. Second was Pewaukee’s David Koch (V-101); third to Doug Mills (V-800); fourth, David Strothman (M-10); and Jim Gluek (V-137), fifth. Winner of Race One was Beulah’s Joe Bitter (B-101), Race Two - Chris Jewett (UM-7), Race Three - David Koch, Race Four - Erick Youngquist (I-49), Race Five - David Strothman, and Race Six - Lance Avery (P-5). 53 new boats have been built so far this year. Fleet interest remains strong as more of the younger sailors recognize the competitive racing available on their home lakes with the C. Next stop either the Blue Chip at Pistakee Yacht Club, September 16-17, or the North Americans again at Geneva the 23-24. Other regional events continue the racing into October.

With 110 new boats built to date, the MC Class continues to be the fastest growing scow fleet of all time. The 65 boats gathered at Geneva for the ILYA Championship witnessed good racing among a representative fleet. Andy Burdick won in a commanding style. Second to Geneva’s Kevin Neal and highest placing junior. Third to Kent Haeger of Beulah, which boasts of a 50-boat fleet. Geneva’s Paul Wood, fourth; and Scott Slocum, fifth, from the Rush Creek Club in Texas. Numerous regattas throughout September and the winter months keep the racing active literally year-round.

The M16 Class was won by Eric Hood (I-24), second to Paul Reinicke (V-90), and third to Jane Pegel (I-19). Eighteen boats competed for the title. Earlier hull designs were competitive with the new models as each won three of the races. As the class continues its revitalization, 10-20 new boats are expected for 2001 with the strongest interests focused at Pewaukee, Minnetonka, Neenah/Oshkosh, Geneva and a resurgence of interest from the east coast.

The newly named I-20 Class includes both the new kite flying I-20 and the original chute rigged M-20. Thirteen raced at Geneva in the combined fleet – with the M-20 guys up front: Kevin Caulfield, first; Chuck Gorgen, second; and Dayton Walker third. A separate builder supports each variation of this high performance design.

Overall…..284 boats and over 900 participants competed during the ten days of racing for championships in each respective class. This was a leap from last summer’s Okoboji attendance of 214 entries – measuring 50% gains in the E, C and MC fleets. With music and entertainment most every night, the shore side of racing came through with flying colors as well.

Thanks…..to our sponsors: Miller Brewing, Merrill Lynch, Mount Gay, Melges Boat Works, North Sails One-Design Zenda, Quantum Sails (formerly Inland Sails), Harken Yacht Equipment, Lynch Dealerships and a host of other organizations who lent their services, expertise, or products toward the success for this ILYA Championship event.

Thanks…..to our race committee and judges: Thanks to our Principal Race Officers – Terry Bischoff (Class C), Allen Becker (Class E), George Hill (Class MC), Bill Ward (Class I-20), Bob Pegel (Class M16) and Mike Sherin (Class A).

Thanks to our race committee members: Snake and Snuff Schneider, Herman Barkow, Sandy and Marilyn Sundberg, Chookie Kilander, Jock Irvine, Tony Minitti, Carl Fritzner, Tom Lothian, Connie Blomquist, Jeff LaBonte, Dave Williams, Diane Sherin, Tom Hodgson, Gloria Melges, Martin Ford, Jack Stritt, Pete Francisco, Bob Von Bereghy, Tom Larimer, Helen Sherry, Cheryl Mick, Terry Bischoff, and many more assistants, anchor pullers and drivers.

Thanks to our judges: Martin Ford, Sandy Sundberg, Jack Stritt, Ginnie Scherer, Mike Sherin, Bob Pegel, and Jerry Nieminen.

Thanks…..to the Lake Geneva Yacht Club: Thanks to all our volunteers who made the ten days of racing - work; who prepared for it and who tidied-up after. Thanks for registering, merchandising, spectating, directing, launching, parking, and on and on. Some 80 individual volunteers are known, with dozens more on the sideline. Thanks to all!

Special thanks to our regatta chairperson…..Suzi Reese….. for efficient planning and execution of a memorable event. She made it happen. Through her efforts - everyone had a great time!

Thanks to our regatta committee members: Steve Schalk, Candace Porter (Beulah), Jim Smith, Art Larson, Bob Winter, Gloria Melges, Mike Kurzawa, chef Glenn, John Mick, Mike Sherin, Jeff LaBonte and many others who added their ideas and actions to move the regatta to its eventual success.

And…..Thanks to the competitors…..proving once again that - scow racing is the best racing in the world!

See you all next year….. at Minnetonka.

…..M. Kurzawa (September 7, 2000)