Click here to download the 2016 Long Distance registration form.

 Yeah, I think I saw a kitchen sink out there. That might be the start for the description of the weather served up for the Grand Cup Regatta this year. Saturday’s forecast was for 6-8 out of the NNW and what the Race Committee saw when it went out was 2-4 out of the SW. What do we pay these meteorologists the big bucks for?! So, the RC set the course to the SW, anchored the boat, began the race and the wind promptly died. The fleet bobbed to the rhythm of the big power boats coming in and out of Shangri-La with just the lightest little “cats-paws” pushing various boats along the course. Several racers decided this was not what they signed up for, and motored back to sit in the shade and have a cool one. The die-hards did get around before the 2 ½ hour time limit was up.

A second race was started in a promising 3-5 knots of air and the first boats got to the windward mark in about 35 minutes with a building breeze. One look at the sky in the north, though, was cause for trepidation; dark blue/black clouds were looming. The hope was to finish a shortened race before the storm arrived, but it was already upon the fleet. First, heavy rain drenched everything, then the wind hit with 40+ knots causing havoc with the boats and their big, light air sails still up. It was high drama, but everyone came through relatively unscathed and with another great “war story” to tell at the bar for years to come. The squall only lasted 20-25 minutes, then blue sky and sunshine!

Sunday was nigh on perfect, 8-12 knots out of the NW and everyone reveled in the, finally, nice condition. Two races were run and it seems, no matter the conditions the same boats rise to the top. Robert Reardon, of Owasso, won all four races of the week-end and placed first in the non-spinnaker class with Claude Phelps, of Grove, second and Jim Spear, of Bartlesville, third. Ted English, of Stillwell, KS, also won all four races and placed first in the spinnaker class; Terry Casady, of Grove, placed second.

The club wants to thank Bruce Juel, of Bartlesville, and Roy Goding, of Fairland, for service on the Race Committee and Charles and Joanne Evans, of Tulsa, for help in registering all the racers. The final spring race is this coming week-end, 11-12 June. Non-members are encouraged to race with us for only $10 for two days of racing; Skippers meeting is at 11 AM Sat and 10 AM Sun at the club just off Honey Creek.

Call Terry at 913-980- 1872 for information.

 January