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<P><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">THE SOUTHWEST HARBOR LUDERS FLEET</FONT></B>
<BR><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">An Report of the First Race</FONT></B>
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<P><B><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">30 June 2006</FONT></B>
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<P><B><U><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">60th Island Season Begins on Solid Start</FONT></U></B>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Morning showers and the rumble of noon thunder did not seem to portend agreeable conditions for this season's Luders debut. However, the sea gods took note and the billows of fog rolling in the WesternWaynever quitepermeatuated the more sheltered waters between Greenings Island and Southwest Harbor. The watchful Homer brothers, who tend the committee boat, made early rounds announcing an alternative starting area - this immediately south of the narrow, scenic entrance of Somes Sound. With a conspicuous backdrop of Charles Butt's gleaming dark blue ketch, Rebecca - some 145-feet overall - all seemed proper and in order for the beginning of this, the Luders 60th season on Mount Desert Island. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">Seven Luders came out this day. All were from Southwest Harbor anchorages except Fleet Captain Alec Goriansky's immaculate Triad - now 53 seasons under his appreciative stewardship (a birthday gift at 13). As the five minute horn sounded, Triad emerged from the fog bank to a well-timed entrance. Other Northeast Harbor Luders will doubtless soon race, ditto some of the five at the Seal Harbor Yacht Club. No Tempest class boats appeared today - doomed by the revived popularity of their Luders brethren. Five Bullseyes raced less than half their usual numbers. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">As expected the Homer brothers set an inside course, a government marker off the SWH tip of Greenings Island and another, a can, at the swiftly tidal entrance of Somes Sound - twice around. A good course, prudently short in the moderate airs, to allow timely appearances at the 4 o'clock Commodore's tea. This was also the appearance of the Commodore's new Hinckley Picnic motorboat and he followed the race closely. As the Hinckley firm is clearly visible from nearly every SWH watery vantage point, these handsome boats have a particular resonance here. (And, indeed, The Commodore's wife is a Hinckley.) It did not pass unnoticed that the Commodore's other motorboat, an even more beautiful Bunker and Ellis, remains on station off his dock. (This writer is partial to wooden boats, but both please the eye.) I digress, except to say that the wooden Bunker and Ellis motorboats are the local equilivant of vintage aquatic Rolls Royes). Most were built in the 1950s and sport much varnish and all are professionally maintained.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">And in the wood department, David Folger's Voodoo took an early led and, from the vantage point of midfleet (I crewed on Ondine) rarely seemed to be threatened by competitors, except, perhaps, for the Red Hot. This was clearly their day as they romped afar. Still, in the lesser ranks there was much competition and positions interchanged with some frequency. Ondine, under the skippership of her new owner, Diana Paine, did well though on the last leg, Weetamoe - advantaged by a new shift - zoomed from 6th to 3rd place. </FONT></P>
<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">The results are as follows:</FONT>
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<P><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">1st, Voodoo, Folger, wood</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">2nd, Red Hot, Davis, glass</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">3rd, Weetamoe, Squires, wood</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">4th, Ondine, Paine, glass</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">5th, Paladin, Rolfes, glass</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">6th, Ange, May, wood</FONT>
<BR><FONT SIZE=2 FACE="Arial">7th, Triad, Goriansky, wood</FONT>
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