Cup Victory Lies in Wind
Press Republican
July 9, 2005
PLATTSBURGH - Toss in some challenging winds and the fact no one has repeated since 1999 and it adds up to an exciting 28th Mayorís Cup Regatta on Lake Champlain today.
A field of close to 100 boats will set sail from Cumberland Bay at 10 a.m. this morning with winds from 10 to 20 knots coming out of the north, northwest.
"When it comes from the north, the winds tend to be variable in intensity and direction. Thatís what makes it challenging," said Race Chairman and 1981 Mayorís Cup champion Kjell Dahlen.
"You have to steer the boat with the wind and trim the sails differently, deping on wind velocity.
"Thatís what separates the men from the boys. You canít fall asleep, thatís for sure."
The remnants of Hurricane Cindy could add some rain to the mix, which will make it all the more challenging.
"The rain does make it difficult," Dahlen added. "Itís a little hard to see how the sails flow. You have fine nylon strips ó telltales ó along the side of the sail, but they tend to get stuck on the sails when they get wet; then theyíre not much help. Itís hard to know how to trim the sails."
Dahlen grew a little anxious over the field Thursday night, but 22 entries on Friday swelled the field to 86 with another 10 to 15 expected before race time today.
"If itís windy, weíll probably get a few more for the soling class. They favor the heavy winds."
Beekmantownís Ed Trombley, who became the first to win the Mayorís Cup with a soling vessel in 2003, is one of several past winners in this yearís field.
Luis Gonzales, of Enosburg Falls, Vt., is the defending champion. He returns with his J-120 Class boat in he Racing A Class.
Mike Parsons, of Plattsburgh, the 2003 winner, has yet to enter, but Dahlen expects him to be at the start today.
Fritz Horton, of Shelburne, Vt., a four-time winner with Peregrine, returns with Judy Bond sharing the helm on J-33 craft. Horton last won in 2000 and before that, sailed to victory with Don Brush in 1993, í97 and í99.
Harold Browne, Colchester, Vt., returns hoping to capture the magic of 1996 when he and partner Mark Gardner sailed Barkode to victory.
John Kimura, Charlotte, Vt., is another former winner looking to hoist the Cup again. He sailed Evoked Potential to victory in 1998.
In the 27 years of the regatta, there has been only one back-to-back winner - Plattsburghís Tony Von Elbe, who skippered Going Concern to victory in 1987 and '88.
"A lot of people have a chance; thatís what makes it so exciting," Dahlen. "And it doesnít hurt to be a little lucky."
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