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E Scow 2003 News Sail Information || E Scow News|| E Scow Tuning Guide || Contact E Scow Experts || Order
By Eric Hood Sheldon - First let me say what a thrill it was to sail E boats again. The combined elements of sportsmanship in the class and performance of the E Scow really made the summer a lot of fun. Regarding a successful campaign… the teamwork Hans and I developed in the Melges 24 spilled over into the E. I’ve sailed more regattas in the last year than I had all my life. (11) The extra time on the water is beginning to shows signs of paying off. You have been away from the E Scow class for a number of years please tell us what brought you back? I guess we are asking what gets you excited about this class?
We know you had some great battles on the racecourse throughout the country this past season. Can you give us some highlights that were special for you and your team? Sheldon -I believe the three E Scow events were won by a TOTAL of 5 points. Several other boats could have won any of the three regattas. Going into the last race of the Nationals, I’d say 4 boats had a legitimate chance of winning. To win that race capped off a dream season. We were very fortunate. You sailed with one new set of North Sails this year. Please tell us how your North Sails performed throughout the year. If you had one statement about your North E Scow Sails what would it be to other sailors? Sheldon -Versatility. We used the same set of sails in every condition while maintaining very good boat speed… this is a true testament to the modern design tools and construction capabilities available to the E Class from North Sails. Tell us briefly about the communications on your boat. How does it work best for your team? Sheldon -Calm, clear and concise. I’ve learned to trust what the crew is telling me far more than I had in the past, which allows for positive communication and a feeling of teamwork. I’m not sure a helmsman is capable of winning without continuous feedback any more. The depth of both knowledge and talent in the E Class won’t allow for it. What would happen if you didn’t respond to communication from Hans and Harry? Sheldon - I got a beating like you wouldn’t believe. To their credit they were body blows. (Anyone notice that I never took my shirt off?)
2003 E SCOW NATIONALS RESULTS
Nice Job North Sails!!!!!!!!!
Sheldon Ecklund tops tough fleet after a long hiatus from E scows! Report by Harry Melges | Photos Pat Dunsworth
Gull Lake, MN July 11-13 The 2003 E invitational was held at beautiful Gull Lake Minnesota which is located in North Central Minnesota near Brainerd. The first day saw a westerly breeze fill in late in the day at 12-15, most teams elected to go with four as it looked like the breeze could build. With a W3 posted and the wind blowing across the lake it looked like it was going to be a hard fought race. After two general recalls, the fleet finally got off clean in a solid 15 with plenty of shifts. The boats that went of the pin end slid out and took advantage of a left hand shift. Chris Jewett showed great speed leading the group off the leeward end and charging up the beat on the left side to lead at the first pin. Tom Burton, Buddy Melges and John Dennis were hot on his heels with Sheldon Ecklund, Brian Porter, Gordy Bowers, Augie Barkow and David Chute and Peter Slocum close behind. The race lead changed hands about five times as the wind continued to show some big shifts. Bill Allen eventually took the lead down wind and fought off Tom Burton and John Dennis respectively. Sheldon Ecklund played the shifts down the last run and slid by Porter, Melges, and Jewett. It was late in the day, so the committee sent the fleet home to enjoy the Gull Lake restaurants and pubs. Day two brought a big high pressure system over Gull Lake and the fleet spent the day enjoying the sun and fun on Gull Lake. Many took advantage of the numerous championship golf courses around the lake while some others spent the day on their power boats partying down on the local sand bar hang out. The evening party was a great success with awesome weather, a full moon, and plenty of food and spirits! Day three arrived with a light southerly and a 9:00 am start. Many slow risers as the previous nights festivities were taking their toll on the majority of the fleet. The southerly increased to 8 to 10 after a general recall the fleet got off to a start. The left side of the beat paid for Sheldon Ecklund after a slow start and Sheldon led the fleet at the first mark with Chris Jewett and Gordy Bowers hot on his heels. Sheldon maintained his lead for the next lap and down the final run when a right hand shift saw Van Johnson come from fourth place and slide into first to take the gun, with Chris Jewett 2nd, Sheldon dropped to third, Gordy was fourth and John Dennis was fifth.
Sheldon, with secret weapon fourth crew Lon Phan was able to take the overall lead with a 4,3,2. JD posted a 5,3,3 to take second. In the end, Gull Lake once again offered a great venue for racing E scows and a great time was had by all. Thank you to all at Gull Lake who made the 2003 invite another great event! Overall results top five
Sail Fast and we’ll see you all at the Inland Champ’s
in Mad Town!
By Andy Burdick
Buddy, sailing with a young team of Iggy and Andy Labanauskus dominated the Inland Lakes Yachting Association's E Scow Invitational this past weekend on Lake Geneva. Over 50 boats battled through varying conditions. Buddy is leaving a mark on sailing that not many will ever even think of trying to match. Olympic Gold, America's Cup, Olympic Bronze, World Championships, North American Championships, National Championships, Inland Championships. We hear of such greats as Michael Jordan, Tiger Woods, Jack Nicholas, Babe Ruth. In the sport of Sailboat Racing - Buddy Melges is unmatched. Melges dominated this 4 race regatta with brand new North Sails. The North Sails in the E scow fleet are the best by far. When customers look into investing in a good set of sails -- North is the proven winner. Congratulations to Buddy on his victory. This championships adds to a growing list of victories. Congratulations to North Sails for producing the best shapes with the best quality!
For more information on our E Scow Program, feel free to contact the North E Scow Experts! Photos JH Peterson
For more information on E Scow sails, contact the North E Scow experts.
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What a year, 3 major victories with the Invite, Inland and National
Championship. What were the key ingredients for such a successful campaign this past year?
1.
Sheldon Ecklund 
4.
Augie Barkow 
The breeze built a bit more for the third and final race and many
teams put on fourth crews. The right side of the course paid on the
first beat as Brian Porter showed great speed to have a comfortable
lead at the first pin. John Dennis and Chris Jewett were hot on his
heels with Sheldon sitting in fourth spot. On the next lap JD took
the lead spot for a lap from Brian and Sheldon was able to work into
the third spot just ahead of Chute/Slocum. Sheldon managed to sneak
by JD on the third beat and hold onto second place behind Brian Porter
who won comfortably. 
Victories
have been abundant throughout Buddy Melges's sailing career. Each one
becomes sweeter and sweeter. A stacked Inland Scow fleet full of young,
high speed hot shots could not slow down the best Inland sailor of all
time.
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