Williams Wins Corrections Cup
Started in 1986 and held during the week on Bennington Battle Day as a friendly competition among state employees, the Corrections Cup is open to any wind powered vessel. To be eligible, skippers and at least one crew must be employed or retained by the state. Former Commissioner of Labor and Industry, Mary Hooper, served as this years race committee. A five mile (plus or minus some) course was set up on the Inner Malletts Bay. Each boat is given a start time that corresponds with their handicap. The slowest boat started first (or in this case, attempted to start first, it seems that Steve Magoon's boat doesn't point so good!) followed by the other boats according to their assigned start time. This years winner, Chris Williams, skippered a souped-up J-24 to an easy victory. His crew included Paul Beaudin (professional?), Mike Finch (first at the Mumm 30 Nationals), Tom Noone ("High Noon" owner) and Ken Signorello ('98 Mallory Cup participant). This all-star crew made easy pickings of past winner Charly Dickerson also sailing a J-24. There was some discussion prior to the race that if a certain Harborwatch editor was fired and collected unemployment, would that qualify him as a state employee? After a brief discussion he was ruled ineligible as a skipper. Bob Drawbaugh ("Swish Ka Bob") just nosed out Karen Cutler ("Heart of Gold") and David Ellis ("Espada") for third place in a close three way finish. "Swish Ka Bob", "Heart of Gold" and "Espada" were all overlapped as they approached the finish line. Drawbaugh was in the best position to take advantage of a 20-degree Malletts Bay lift. For the first time in the history of the Corrections Cup Bob Lucenti ("Isolde") did not finish last. "Isolde" squeaked by the Judiciary team of Wally Malley and Brian Burgess ("Siofra"). In last, but far from least, was Steve Magoon sailing "Para-Ti" 40 minutes after the his start Steve crossed the start line and immediately set his spinnaker for part unknown... Results
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