The Cleon Challenge

Once upon a time, Cleon Williams sailed his Spirit 23 from Eden Isle to Damsite and back in an unbelievably fast time.  It was posted on the Eden Isle bulletin board and wasn’t bested for years.  Nobody remembers what the time was, only that it stood as proof that an intrepid mariner with the right conditions can make a passage for the ages even if his boat isn’t huge or notably fast.  We had considered reinstating the record using the same course.  But then we remembered that one reason the record stood for so long is that the sailing conditions near the dam can be awful, and nobody other than Cleon wanted to go down there. So what we are maintaining and update as appropriate a benchmark in the spirit of Cleon Williams that we can all have fun shooting for.  The challenge would be this:

1. Start between any two buoys at Eden Isle Marina or use the end of A Dock.

2. Sail around all three islands that we commonly use (Snake, Taylor (aka Shiloh Island), and Goat) either taking them all to port or all to starboard, but no creative course interpretations. If rounding to port, it’s Eden Isle to Goat to Taylor to Snake to Eden Isle.  If rounding to starboard, it’s Eden Isle to Snake to Taylor to Goat to Eden Isle.

3. Finish back between any two buoys at Eden Isle.

4. Do it any time you want, with or without a crew or competitors, report your elapsed time using the form below.

5. The keeper of the records will then apply the PHRF handicap for your boat and compare it to the previous record.  If you bested the record, you win the fame and glory associated with being the holder of the Cleon’s Challenge.    

The beauty of Cleon’s Challenge is that there is no organization to it at all, and therefore a perfect event for our club.  No time scheduled, just pick a good day and go.  Go whichever way feels good at the time.  Just keep your own time and be sure to send it in.

Please send in your times and information using the form below. We want to keep track of the Cleon runs this year and share them periodically so that all club members can enjoy each other’s sailing. We’ll handle the calculation for the corrected time.

There is a flag prize that will go to the boat that achieves the best corrected time for the year at the EOY banquet and of course you get bragging rights!

Take the challenge single-handed, with your family, or form a super crew and go for the win. Anything goes, just take the challenge and have fun!