On September 14th, the GLSS held the second annual Lower Lake Michigan Solo Scramble. 10 starters, 5 from each port, Holland, MI and Racine, WI, started the 100 mile race around the lower weather buoy and to the finish in Michigan City. The weather was clear with light winds from the NE at the start. Winds built thru the evening to the low teens in strength and then eased up again as sun up came. Sailors enjoyed a spectacular sky of stars and some great sailing.

First to finish was Gamera skippered by Matt (naked) Scharl (h), next was David (curly) Wagner on Gigi from Racine. Following in order of finish were: John (Varnish )Ayres on Rip Tide (r), Joe (wash) Turns on Cat Nap, Bill (Commodore Dodger) Erdmann on Harbour Haze (r), Mark (Punch) Veenstra on Bamboozel (r). Bill (Mr. Grill) Smith (h) on Sky High was followed by Paul (Sandbagger) Schloop on Blue Max (h), Fred (Barkeep) (r) on Frolic and Sin and running sweep was Ron (Radio) Wells (h) on Free to Choose.

Three additional entrants and one unofficial participant were unable to make the start from either weather issues or complications resulting from the disasterous events of 9/11.

After the finish, an inpromptu gathering of solo sailors and sailors from the Michigan City Yacht Club's Westward Ho race gathered around a cooler of beer and the Webber grill to commence the evening festivities. While telling stories and grilling hamburgers and brats under the direction of Bill the Grill Smith, we got updates from Sir Jim on Sovereign as to his whereabouts and his intended tho not expected ETA. Dave Rearick and Cheryl Silverthorne were interviewed by Gourmet Magazine with regards to the events culinary delights. Freddie the Barkeep, treated everyone to his version of River Water, though he apologized and offered to come back again and spend some time matching the color to that of Michigan City's Trail Creek. After a couple of jugs of River water passed, Laughing Gull (Mike Silverthorne) ran back to his place and returned with a frozen container of purple stuff. Nicknamed the Grape Crush.

An informal awards ceremony was commenced once the last participants were in. With a gathering or 25 to 30 sailors and friends, we opened a bottle of Glenlivit Scotch and passed it around in tribute to those in New York, Washington and Pennsylvania that were spending their day working in the rubble of the disaster as well as those who were keeping vigil and grieving for lost friends. Informal results are as follows: Holland start: Gamera, CatNap, Sky-High, Blue Max and Free to Choose. Racine Start: Rip Tide, Harbour Haze, Gigi, Bamboozle, and Frolic and Sin.

All in all, we enjoyed a wonderful day of sailing, friends and the Spirit that makes this group special. We added 3 new sailors to the Lake Michigan crowd with hopes they will be joining us for the Solo Mac next year. A lot of talk thru the evening was concerning the Solo Super Mac coming next summer. Sounds like more than a few are interested in participating.

ADDENDUM

10-15-01

Thirteen registered entrants.

Ten official Starters

Three Did not Starts.

1 Unofficial starter was planning on doing it as a qualifier, but was unable to come.

Entry fees were $75.00 per yacht and included one nights dockage in Michigan City, In., Race Shirt, and grill party. Jim McLaren will give a complete financial report after the shirts are done. We are having the shirts embroidered with not only the GLSS logo, but the boat name and place of finish. This combines the awards and the shirts thereby minimizing costs.

Ocean Navigator, which gave us issues of its most recent publication, as well as Yacht Review to pass out to participants and others interested sponsored the race. Onav also gave a 1 year subscription to give away as a prize. In a nearly flawless, scientific, single elimination round of eenie, meenie, miney, mo overseen by the employees of R.K. Finishing , it came down to a final round elimination between Free to Choose and Frolic and Sin. As the employees sat speechless in anticipation of the outcome, the elimination proceeded and the final winner was Frolic and Sin.

As far as we have heard, everyone had a great time and the weather was wonderful. Improvements for next year seem to revolve around getting an earlier start to the organization of the race. While it came together quite well over the internet and thru word of mouth, we believe we can expand by doing more ground work earlier.