The Harlan Challenge Distance Race was held July 4th with perfect
sailing conditions. The 12 mile race began with starting line buoys
set outside of Patterson Harbor. The first leg was downwind in an 8
mile breeze with the slower rated Santana 21 of Dave Klein starting
first. Each faster rated boat started after with the fastest Mirage
23 of Gary Robinson starting 18 minutes later.

Burke Phelps' Hunter 23 set their spinnaker at the start and caught
up with some of the boats ahead. The next leg was to the west down
the lake. Tom Day's Spindrift 22 and Jay Sawyer's Beneteau 21 dueled
for position right behind the Hunter 23.5 skippered by Greg Ockinga.

After turning the mark the south wind picked up to 14 to 17 for an
upwind leg into Prairie Dog Bay. Klein had set a very large genoa
headsail and was overpowered and couldn't keep their speed. Phelps,
Ockinga and Sawyer passed Klein with all the boats fighting the gusts
causing them to "round up" when overpowered. Sawyer and Ockinga
dueled each other for position to the east side of Prairie Dog Bay
but then lost ground to Tom Day who had taken the lead on the west
shore. After the 6 mile turn-around buoy up in the Bay, Burke Phelps
took the lead as the fleet reversed the course back to Pattersons.

The Robinsons had been overtaking the slower boats ahead until the
stronger headwinds kept them in check. Phelps led everyone with Tom
Day in second back up the lake to the east. Sawyer slowly caught Day
and held second place until a tangled sheet near the finish slowed
them to produce a close finish. Burke Phelps with Luke Mellman
steering took first place easily, Day second, Sawyer third and
Ockinga a close forth. Robinson and Klein finished a bit more behind.

Burke Phelps will hold the silver Harlan Challenge Cup for the year.