Commodores Cup 2024

The first Commodores cup that I find in the Chickawaukie Iceboat clubs archives was on Grasy Pond, I know not where that is. It sounds from the description in the winners report that it was not at all the type of day that we had Sunday on Chicky. Back in the day we asked the winner to write a report and share how it was done. The winner of the 1997 Commodore Cup was Lloyd Roberts, and here is the first paragraph of that report to show just how opposite the weather was day.

“I rigged for light air with everything as far forward as it would go and the stay master wound up tight to maximize what little power might be there. I could lift a runner once and a while by sketching forward and curling up in a ball. I also tried lying down flat to reduce wind resistance, but there wasn’t much wind to resist.”

27 years later was certainly the opposite type of day wind wise that is for sure! It was certainly too windy to race the Doc Fellows, and that was a wise call by the commodore. But there were many DN sailors all set up on the ice and the marks were set, and we all know what happens when there are marks on the ice.

There were a strong half dozen boats out there, and we had done quite a few mark roundings with no formal start, and even though it was somewhat strong wind with gusts all was going well. In addition to  the strong gusty wind there were some ruts/runner tracks that must have been made on Friday. It must have been above freezing when they were doing some practice mark roundings after setting the marks. 

Five of us parked near the leeward mark and decided that we had what it takes to race the Commodore Cup, I believe the criteria are three boats, ice and wind, I believe it is actually engraved on the cup. So we lined them up, we raced the first race and I could not freakin’ believe it, I rounded the windward mark right into a dead spot, NO wind finally was able to coast out of it after jibing back a forth to no avail. Rounding the leeward mark in slow motion for a slow start to the windward mark that I believe Jeff was already rounding! Ed was on Jeff’s tail, and was able to get a second with Milo third for the first race. 

Now we were down at the leeward mark readying for another race, me bumming about sailing into an area with no wind on a day with so MUCH wind. We also realized that we had no score keeper, paper, or pencil. Fortunately we had Milo who is savvy with the mobile phone in his pocket, and kind enough to use both. So line up again we did, the wind was still strong and gusty, we self started with a count down from three. I believe it was the first lap after the second start going fast just behind Jeff rounding the windward mark and bearing off, my steering runner got into a deep rut and I had to go deeper or get blown over, and that would have been BAD. I forcefully steered to port got out of the rut, but into an oversteer and spin out. I went completely around onto the same tack but headed upwind with a bit of headway and was able to fall off and get moving again. Talking to Ed after the race, he saw it and was hoping to pass, fortunately for me I was able to get my boat going promptly after the spin, and I was able to stay in second place.

The third race went smoothly for me and I believe all. The last race was similar to the first two in that we were all following Jeff, he was obviously tuned perfect for that day.  Maybe we should do as we did in the past and have the winner write a report and share how it was done.

Ain’t we got fun.

The Results: