Yacht invitational July 10-13 on Gull Lake

National and world-class sailors will compete with sailors from a five-state area as the Gull Lake Yacht Club hosts the annual Inland Lakes Yachting Association E-Scow Invitational July 10-13.

More than 50 E-scow sailboats, including some of the nation's top one-design sailors, are expected to participate in five races during the three-day event. This year's Gull Lake event marks the return of the E-Scow Invitational, which the Gull Lake Yacht Club hosted in 1998.

The ILYA includes 42 member clubs in seven states. It sponsors championship racing for seven classes of scows and the International Optimist Dinghy.

Among the ranks of ILYA sailors are Olympic medalists and coaches, an America's Cup helmsman, and several current and past national and world-class champions form other one-design classes.

The ILYA's E-Scow fleet is considered one of the best in the world, when it gathers for major events such as the invitational.

E-scows are 28-foot, single-masted racing sailboats, crewed by three-to-four sailors. Developed primarily for sailing on inland lakes, these lightweight, high-speed sailboats can travel at up to 25 mph, providing a fast-paced, high-energy sailing experience for sailors and spectators.

The first race of the E-Scow Invitational will begin the morning of July 11, followed by an additional race that day, two on Saturday and one on Sunday, weather permitting.

Camping and concessions will be available at the Gull Lake Yacht Club, located on the east shore of Gull Lake, north of Brainerd.

For event information, contact Vince Driessen at (612) 313-0105 or Gull Lake Yacht Club commodore Chuck Driessen at (507) 451-3175.