The Egyptian Cup Regatta Mike Pitzer, FS 5300
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Florida District The Egyptian Cup Regatta Mike Pitzer, FS 5300 n these times, Egypt is a tumultu- Another story attributes the moni- ous place in the midst of chaos, ker to a biblical reference in 1799 by a strikes, and confrontation. Its Baptist missionary who, while travel- ancient mystery is just a memory. ing along the bluffs of the Mississippi, But in southern Illinois an event called the fertile bottom lands the “Land still exists that lures sailors to of Goshen,” which was the best land in Ithat ancient name. If you Google the Egypt given by the Pharaoh to Joseph’s Egyptian Cup, you will learn that it’s a family when they came to Egypt. Other famous trophy in the football league of similarities between the Mississippi that country. But you would miss the fact River valley and the Nile were drawn that an Egyptian Cup Regatta of sailing from large ancient Indian burial mounds fame is now hosted annually by Flying somewhat like the pyramids, the largest The burgee, shown above, was modeled Scot Fleet 83 on Carlyle Lake in Hazlet of which is in Cahokia, Illinois. after the Egyptian flag. State Park (site of the 2012 NAC) in The Egyptian identity was memo- Carlyle, Illinois. This 50-year-old regatta rialized in the names of many Illinois has a storied past. It was begun by the towns named after places in Egypt, such Crab Orchard Lake Sailing Club on Crab as Cairo (located near the junction of Orchard Lake near Carbondale, Illinois. the Mississippi and the Ohio), Thebes, But why the name? Karnak, and Dongola. Today many busi- The area south of St. Louis in south- nesses still use the reference in their ern Illinois is bordered on three sides identity. Even the mascot of Southern by the Mississippi, the Ohio, and the Illinois University was named after the Wabash rivers. This area became known Egyptian dog “Saluki.” So what is the as “Egypt” or “Little Egypt.” Some have connection to the regatta? attributed the origin to pioneer families Crab Orchard Lake is four miles east familiar with their Bibles who drew of Carbondale, Illinois. It is a 7,000-acre comparisons to the book of Genesis when lake built in 1936 and is now part of the famine struck Canaan and all the families Crab Orchard National Wildlife Refuge had to go to Egypt to buy food. During the in southern Illinois. In 1958 the Crab winter of the Deep Snow in 1830, grain, Orchard Lake Sailing Club (COLSC) was feed, and crop seed were destroyed. Yet formed, with a 25-year lease from the wagon trains of pioneers traveled to the Refuge. Most of its members came from breadbasket of southern Illinois like the town of Carbondale. It was the most The Cup was donated by COLSC member ancient caravans of Israelites traveling to active club in the lower Midwest, and it James “Pops” Brigham Egypt to buy grain. A common greeting grew to 171 members at its zenith. Since on the road became, “We are the sons it was located in “Little Egypt,” it was idea of Dr. Wilson R. Scott, who was the of Jacob, going into Egypt to buy corn.” natural to borrow from that identity. Its club commodore and one-time presi- Southern Illinois became known as the burgee, shown above, was modeled after dent of the International Lightning Class granary of the state, and the identity with the Egyptian flag. Association. Originally the Egyptian Egypt was accepted proudly. The Egyptian Cup Regatta was the Continued On Page 11 Scots n’ Water x Volume 57 x Number 4 x 2013 7 Florida District We are stressing a few areas to create The clinics were geared towards the new Flying Scot Midwinter Championship. growth, and they seem to be working. fleet members, as well as members who We had a fun time hosting the regatta, After every race date, we bring food to can use a helping hand. Due to inclem- and hosting really helped bring our fleet share and we gather to rehydrate, eat, ent weather, our first clinic was limited together, as everyone had a volunteer role and tell stories. Food is becoming a driv- to shoreside activities. We went from and was counted on to make the regatta ing force in our fleet. These get-togethers boat to boat and helped tune boats, giv- a success. Hosting a regatta of this size are a quick way to put everyone on ing hands-on instruction. Suggestions creates a lot of volunteer opportunities an equal footing, and they really have were passed on rigging ideas to improve and gets everyone pulling together in the helped the camaraderie in our fleet. We boat handling. This was followed by same direction. Weather was a bit iffy at have also started a Challenger division a great question-and-answer session times, as the isobars got a little too close within our fleet. All boats are automati- on all things Scot related. Our second together for comfortable sailing. The cally in our Championship division, clinic placed our experienced sailors in rest of the days the weather was what but we also score separately a division the boats of our less experienced sailors. you come to Florida for, and of course of new boats as well as boats that have This was successful on two fronts. First, the fellowship in the group was lots of not placed recently in our series stand- the learning curve was advanced for the fun. Congratulations to Championship ings. Daily as well as season awards are newer sailors, and second–but probably Division winners Paul Abdullah and given in both divisions. Another change more importantly–the social side of our Alex Krumdieck and Challenger Division we have made over the past couple of fleet strengthened as we got to know each winners Harry Bernstein and crew. The years is that we rotate the race commit- other better. The volunteer efforts of the Allen M. Douglas Memorial Trophy for tee duties throughout the entire fleet, so experienced sailors to help raise the skill sportsmanship was awarded to Mark that everyone has an iron in the fire and level in our fleet were greatly appreci- Taylor. Full results are on the Flying Scot ownership in the success of our fleet. ated. Again, this gives everyone a vested Sailing Association Web site. Last year we had two Flying Scot rac- interest in the success of our fleet. We are active, and we eat well. If any of ing clinics. The clinics were in the fall Although we sail year-round, our win- you all are looking for somewhere to race as a lead-up to the busy racing season. ter season culminated in hosting the in the winter months, come on down. O Continued From Page 7 Florida District Cup was a multi-class regatta and, in the “Pops” Brigham, Sr., who was an old- trophy was transferred to Fleet 83 and ’70s, nationally ranked competitors came time A Scow sailor from Lake Geneva, the Egyptian Cup Regatta was revived. from all over Middle America. In 1966, Wisconsin. Ralph Darling won the first The Cup is alive and well today. Each 79 boats were registered and 15 were trophy in 1959. Paul Moore later added year, Scot Fleet 83 hosts the Egyptian Scots. The classes included the Rebel, a new base for more names. Early and Cup at Carlyle Lake in Carlyle, Illinois. Flying Scot, C Scow, Lightning, Y-Flyer, significant names on the trophy include It’s not unusual to find Harry Carpenter and Sunfish. An early Scot sailor, Paul Sandy Douglass (Harry reports it was at this regatta, and the competitors have McRoy, actually broadcast the regatta one of Sandy’s favorite regattas), Buddy included some of the top sailors in the on the local radio station, WCIL. Harry Melges, Jerry and Mike Hartman, Dale Midwest, such as Ted & Florence Glass, Carpenter remembers his first Cup at Vogel, and Ken Tempelmeyer. Bernie Knight, Ryan Malmgren & Carrie COLSC (he stayed with Paul McRoy), Unfortunately management of the Crab Carpenter, Bill Vogler & Jill Rendleman, when Eric Ammann (then president Orchard Refuge became increasingly Jim Harris & Betty Struckhoff, Frank of Gordon Douglass Boat Co.) sailed restrictive and the club lease was not Gerry & Marianne Gerry, Ben Williams as his crew. He beat Jerry Hartman by renewed. Club facilities were turned & Deb Aronson, and others. Past win- half a boat length to win the regatta! over to a mismanaged private marina ners include Gordon Douglass, Harry The very first commercially delivered in 1985, and club activity slowed to Carpenter, Tom Pinkel, Paul Moore, Bill Flying Scot participated for over 40 almost nothing in the late ’80s. Fleets at Vogler, Larry Klick, Susie Stombaugh, years in the Egyptian Cup. It was boat the COLSC dwindled until there were and Ryan Malmgren. #4 (1957), purchased by Jack and Lois only the Flying Scot and Hobie fleets. This year the regatta will be held on Brown of Benton, Illinois. Clark Ashby The club continued regional regattas for August 31 through September 1, 2013 of Carbondale, Illinois, became its owner, those classes. By 1991 all COLSC activ- (Labor Day weekend). Come out and be and last year he donated it to the Oakland ity ceased. When the lights of Flying part of a wonderful tradition and add Transportation Museum near the Scot Scot Fleet 30 dimmed, Scot sailor Clark your name to a long list of distinguished factory in Deer Park, Maryland. Ashby turned to the Carlyle Sailing winners.