August 22, 1999
Lake Union Gold Cup 1999
The inaugural Lake Union Gold Cup was sailed under the auspices of the Center for Wooden Boats in true Gold Cup format. Goose, Saga, Maybe VII and Hanko II attended this event with the hope of drawing attention to the legacy of 6 metres in the area and to the CWB's own Erica, in particular. The regatta started in the most challenging of conditions, light to no breeze with oscillations of 10 to 25 degrees. The wind slowly built to a nice 10 knots and beautifully warm, sunny skies. It was a sight to behold the 4 old warriors plying all parts of the small lake dodging kayakers, rowers, idle power boats and literally dozens of float planes lined up to land and take off right in the middle of the race course!
Light and shifty out of the South proved to be a match with the Goose crew in the first race. The second start saw the wind swing 180 degrees and Maybe VII led all the way around with room to spare. In the third race Goose made a gutsy port tack pin-end start, crossed the fleet, then tacked to cover. Maybe continued to close then fall behind, trailing by as much as 35 seconds, but drew to within 15 seconds as Goose won again.
Everyone then headed for the dock for some much needed puu-puus (appetizers) and beer. The Race Committe and the volunteers outdid themselves with bar-b-qued chicken wings, sausages, and vegetables. The party lasted much farther into the evening than anyone expected or hoped.
Since the format of a Gold Cup requires a competitor to win a race in one of the first 3 races to continue in the regatta, Saga and Hanko II stayed at the dock as Maybe VII, then Goose made their way onto the course. Again, winds were very light and Maybe VII won the start. Both boats played the shifts, worked the shore thermals, and attempted to predict where the next puff would come from. The lead changed several times in the first weather leg, but it was Goose who rounded the mark first then stayed in front the rest of the way to win her 3rd race and the Cup.