Clipper Cup.....

Harbour Towne Yacht Club's annual trans michigan
race the Clipper Cup was sailed this past Friday.
The 35 boats that started did not suffer from lack of wind.
In fact sailors reported waves of 10 feet and up.

1st to finish was Moby in a time of 8 hours and 36 minutes.
Moby was also the corrected time winner in Division 5.

In Division 1 the top corrected time finisher was Hot Knots
a 33 foot catamaran.  Division 2 was won by John Dobelek's
Denisseii.

Division 3 was home to the overall race winner.   Chip Sawyer
sailed his S2 7.9 Full Moon to the 1999 Clipper Cup
overall title.  He edged Division 1 winner Hot Knots by slightly
over 3 minutes. 

Finally, Division 4 was one by Aequitas sailed by Fran Pauls.

Torresen Sailing Site has posted complete results of
the Clipper Cup.

Trouble for defending Clipper Cup Champ

Rod Leonard's On Business began the 1999 Clipper Cup
defending the overall title she won in the 1998 race. 

According to Coast Guard reports the USCG Cutter
BARBARA MABRITY received a distress call from On
Business.  On Business was having rudder problems and
the weather conditions were considered severe. 

The cutter diverted from training exercises.   After launching
a small boat all 6 of the crew of On Business were rescued.
Reports indicate the wind was 30 knots and seas were up
to 10 feet.

Due to the sea conditions and deck fittings the Coast Guard
was unable to immediately tow On Business.  However,
Saturday morning a helicopter from Coast Guard Air
Station Traverse City located On Business.  It was towed
to Milwaukee by the Coast Guard.