Thanks to Amy Bennett for this report: Thirteen races over three days (July 5-7) in the pristine water of Flathead Lake Montana…can’t ask for anything better than that. But we did, and we got more than we asked for. Eight teams from Seattle, Idaho and Montana sailed in 80 degree weather, with tight racing all three days. Day one started with a 7:30 am first warning on a brisk northerly, directly out of Glacier National Park. Before that breeze faded in the early afternoon, five races were completed in 10-15 knots on flat water. We tapped the kegs at 3 pm and were treated to a Mexican buffet served on the waterfront. The evening finished up with mini golf at the bar up the gravel road from the club. Day two started with the northerly again, but after one race the breeze took a couple hours to shift 180 to the south, and eventually the mythical legendary southerly filled in with white caps at 12-13 knots. Three more races were completed with only a few points separating the top boats. Day three saw no northerly, but a strong (if shifty) southerly filled in early. Three races were held with the Championship up for grabs with the start of the final race which was held in 18-20 knots. About half the fleet had gone to jibs which proved to be a disadvantage with the larger swells, with the 20-mile fetch requiring more punch. In the end. local J/Boats dealer Pete Sauer and crew Joe Wilderman, Melanie Edwards and Ginjer Yachachak on USA 5171 JackWagon Racing held off Wayne Pignolet and crew from Idaho on USA 4243 Hoggin the Sheets to qualify for the 2019 Miami Worlds. Special thanks to all the boats who travelled to participate, and to our sponsors Ballard Sails, Hammer Nutrition, Sail Montana and Big Sky Yachts.

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