2004 Mille Lacs Crossing10/1/2004 |
Mike Fox and Fleet 8 sends this...
Crossing Finally Completed on Saturday!
After six years of postponed-to-Sunday Crossings, the perceived curse was broken when
48 windsurfers successfully crossed the lake on Saturday. Combined with good winds
for World Cup course racing on Friday and Sunday, and social activities at the Y-Club
and Harbor Inn, the weekend was scored as a total success.
Starting on Friday, the forecast for Saturday had remained gloomy with winds of less
than 10 mph. As sailors and staff polished off a hearty breakfast at Headquarters
Lodge, the wind filled in and the lake grew darker. A 2nd on-the-water wind reading
showed that it had built to a steady 10-12 mph and maintained consistent direction.
With confidence, the race committee called the sailors together and announced that
they would start in Garrison and finish at Brandt’s Landing on the south shore,
just west of Izatys. The course proved perfect, as sailors and course boats seemed
to form a highway across the lake. Mark Kedrowski of White Bear became the second
to win four Crossings, holding off Kevin Gratton of Fon du Lac, WI, the other
4-time winner. There was a mere three feet and two seconds separating them.
Jeff DeGayner of Harbor Springs, MI had lead most of the race and finished 3rd,
20 seconds behind Mark.
For the second year in a row, the Crossing had sailable winds for all three days.
Last year, a crossing attempt on Saturday had to be aborted after the strong winds
contributed to a rash of miscues and breakdowns. A great weekend was enjoyed by all.
Fleet 8 and all the racers wish to thank the sponsors and Mille Lacs area businesses
that loyally support this spectacular event year after year.
Sunday World Cup Racing (pictured above SundayUp.jpg)
Abbreviated crossing results:
Formula
1st Mark Kedrowski, White Bear, MN 1:33:51
2nd Jeff DeGayner, Harbor Springs, MI 1:34:11
3rd Jeff Hotvet, Minnetonka, MN 1:37:42
Longboard Unlimited
1st Kevin Gratton, Fon du Lac, WI 1:33:53
2nd Don Altmeyer, Sheboygan Falls, WI 1:34:25
3rd Jeff Adamski, Elk River, MN 1:37:45
Longboard Limited
1st Brad Woodworth, Dryden, ONT 2:07:15
2nd Chizek, Excelsior, MN 2:09:32
3rd Roland Rioux, Winnipeg, MAN 2:11:45
Women
1st Kathy Tatro, Fon du Lac, WI 1:47:20
2nd Kelly Johnson, Shoreview, MN 2:17:39
3rd Lisa Kremer, Worthington, MN 2:35:11
IMCO
1st Vojta Cervenka, Hanover, MN 1:43:14
2nd Brett Purcell, Bayfield, WI 2:04:05
3rd Peter Hill, Orono, MN 2:06:02
Sport-Men
1st Philip Halverson, Duluth, MN 1:56:59
2nd Eric Paulson, Aitkin, MN 2:09:08
3rd Jim Magnuson, Cedar Falls, IA 2:29:37
Sport-Women
1st Kris Diller, Chaska, MN 2:39:15
2nd Bonnie Koerbel, Muskego, WI 2:40:29
