The Great Lakes Championship was last held in Chicago in 1984. The Archer Trophy, symbolic of the Championship dates back 85 years. The Green Star Championship dates back from 1940 when the father of the Star Class, Pop Corry, donated a Trophy to the Great Lakes District. In the past, only one entry per fleet competed for these championships within the district. In those days it was a weeklong event. Five races, one per day. No throw out.

There was much anticipation on Thursday as competitors rigged there boats for battle. The Chicago Corinthian Yacht Club was proud to be the venue for the Chicago Fleet.

Day one:
Racing began with one of the coldest July weekends in twenty years with overcast skies and west winds from 10 to 15 knots and up to 25 knots on the last beat of the day. Three races were completed leaving Donny Massey in the lead by 3 points over the defending champion Tom Londrigan Jr.

An evening shindig was hosted by Bonnie and Jack Rickard at their home in Winnetka. That evening after daily awards a cake in the shape of a Star boat was presented to past Blue Star champion Gene McCarthy for his 85th birthday. He also received a daily award for winning race two.

Day two:
Similar to day one with the exception of the winds piping up to above 20 knots before the start of the sixth race, so the race committee started us with a triangle course 1. Tom Londrigan dominated the day with all bullets putting him in the lead of Donny Massey by four points going into the final day.

Upon arrival back shore side, Star sailors were greeted with copious amounts of libations to alleviate the aches and pains of a long fought day on the water. The music was cranking and the pig was roasting on the patio of the yacht club. The party went on until dusk, retiring the fleet further inshore to the night life of the Windy City.

Day three:
Again winds were out of the west at 10 to 15 knots. With Donny Massey winning race one the championship came down to the final race. Massey lead the first lap of the final race until Tom Londrigan caught up to him on the second beat leading Londrigan to his second consecutive Blue Star Championship and his eighth overall.