TRADITION & FAIRNESS
The 4th District Green Star was first held in 1940. In 71 years, no one in the Paw Paw Lake Star Fleet has ever won the Green Star. The tradition continues! It also proves that we run a fair regatta, no one gets an advantage from the Race Committee!

KELP POLES
As a regatta gift, competitors were given kelp poles as an ominous sign of things to come. But the weed killer put in the lake each year kept the seaweed away and no one had to use their new kelp pole.

WEATHER
Both days had forecasts that included localized thunderstorm cells popping up. God shown down on Paw Paw Lake and the skies remained clear without nary a drop of rain either day. Winds were perfect for inland lake sailing. Huge shifts, massive holes, which all lead to shifts in the leader of the races continually provided exciting racing.

RACE COMMITTEE
We started on time Saturday, with a 11 minute delay on Sunday due to a 40-degree wind shift, but the time between the last finisher and next prep was less than 5 minutes each race. With great action like this, you get on the water quick, have high intensity racing and off the water quick. We had 4 races Saturday and 3 races Sunday.

BREAKFAST
Cereal variety packs, sweet rolls, bananas, coffee, milk, orange juice started the morning right.

LUNCH
Lunch served aboard each yacht consisted of brown honey ham, Swiss cheese, tomato, lettuce, mayonnaise, mustard on a moist split wheat bread. Along with a delicious red apple, chips or pretzels, followed by frosted animal crackers and mint Oreo’s to freshen ones breath at the end of the meal.

WINE TASTING AT CONTESSA VINEYARD SATURDAY
With 20 wines to choose from, learning the differences and character, we enjoyed the local ladies serving the wine, up on the hill overlooking the vineyard, and many good stories were shared by competitors.

COCKTAILS AND DINNER SATURDAY
Questionnaires of the fleet were handed out at the skipper’s meeting, and used at dinner. One asked what other talents people possess other than sailing Stars? Literally we could put together a full musical band with all of the instruments everyone plays! One question was – Tell us something not many people know about you, one answer was “I was freshman president in High School and Hillary Rodham was my secretary.” You’ll have to come to the Paw Paw Open to find out who that is! The PRO, Gail Turluck answered, “I’m in the College Sailing Hall of Fame.” Another question was “What was your greatest Star regatta you went to and why?” Rick Rundle reported it was the 1984 Green Star when he won it. Deja vu Rick? Many laughs were abound with other answers.

After dinner, fun daily awards were made with propeller pin wheels given to the leader as they had sought the wind so strongly all day, the second place was given some bling chains to wear for a lot of their strong finishes, third was given ribbons with “Outstanding Star” written on them, and fourth was given sets of ugly teeth. Why? Well……..for sailing ugly!

FATHER’S DAY SUNDAY
Come on, what could make a better father’s day gift than to be racing Star boats, with three out of four boats sailing with family?