Lake Mascoma left a little something to be desired (wind) on Saturday. After six races in drifting conditions we found ourselves in eighth place but in good spirits. After all, how many times can you win your side and have a mystical puff drop down on the other side? We had good speed, we had good boathandling, we weren't making any dumb mistakes, and our starts were solid. The weekend before we had sailed well, finishing 3rd at the Regis Trophy (10 points out of first) on these same waters. It remained light (0-4 kts) for the last three races but the BUDS were not rattled, finishing with a 3,3,1 and sliding into the fifth, and the last qualifying spot.
Sunday looked like more of the same. Although the better sailors usually end up on top anyway, unstable breeze and randomness makes for a crappy championship. Liz drifted out to the starting line and I was amazed to hear whistles. They were starting a race in a Northerly of "zero to minus one". A minute after the start all the boats who didn't cheat there way up to the starting line rolled over the "active" crowd. A light Southerly was filling in, the race was abandoned and a new course was set. The BUDS scene onshore was one of high fives and hoorah's. There was some serious praying going on, just ask Kirsten. Our prays were answered big time, as the breeze built to an occasional cap. Liz and Annie wasted no time winning the first race of the day. After that, we never looked back. Grinding down Conn and MIT to finish third. Liz/Annie finished forth in A division, while Kaya/Kirsten finished third in B division. Sue, Becky, Eliza, and my dog Sandy rounded out the crew. BUDS alumnus Mike Welch '97 and Pete Spaulding were kind enough to house all nine of us friday and saturday nights.