Leave it to Vermont to get the best sailing in for an otherwise dismal season! At least they had some satiable ice within the United States! Even the boys from Maine were in a good mood We had a great time swapping stories of sailing woe FOR the season, and after we showed them the rest of the group could sail as good as they. we earned some long awaited respect. By the way, who was that ice boating rocket named Ashley, his boat equipped with the latest of gear that put this ice reporter to shale?

The NEIYA New Ion gland championship was held Saturday March 23rd on Mallets Bay in South Burlington Vermont. Not only did some of the Vermonters sign up to be members of the NEIYA for another year, but Peter Hill agreed to be area commodore "for the day." Guest what? I lied Let's welcome Peter to another five years as area manager!

We had a great time sailing and decided to extend the racing into a second day. While inherently unfair to responsible family persons who promised their spouses they would be right home, the rest of us degenerates had a great time chasing each other around on Sunday too Results of Saturdays races are only off by a couple of boats from Sundays combined scores. The race committee headed by our able Bill Converse selected two courses which met all of the complaints of one harmonious, but competitive gathering. It was big ice, with a windward mark so far away one had to perch a lunch to get there and back. Six races were held on Saturday and three on Sunday before an impromptu awards party was held lakeside as a local treat. Our thanks to the great Vermont group for being excellent hosts and good competitors .

I haven't got the race results to come together yet but here are the results in text form: so I'm going to leave them out for now

Here are a few pictures from the two day event that had it gotten protested .....

Left to right Jay Spalding - 3rd, Mike O'Brien - 5th, Jeff Kent - 6th, Andre Baby - 4th and Peter Hill -1st, Sample the fare after the first day's races.