NCESA begins its 100 year anniversary by announcing a schedule of celebration events

Celebrating a century of E Scows © Harken

The E Scow is celebrating its 100 year birthday in 2023 with a series of special events, culminating with the National Championship regatta in Madison WI.

This boat has multiple Rolex award winners such as Brian Porter, Harry Melges IV, and Sally Barkow amongst the regular competitors. Harry "Buddy" Melges and Jane Pegel were also past E Scow and multiple Rolex award winners. The annual Blue Chip regatta held every year has included many accomplished "mystery guests", including:

• Malcolm Page (Australia) - Double Olympic Gold Medalist 2008 and 2012, eight-time World Champion: "Such cool boats. The heel thing was weird at first, but these boats are skiff-like and require top notch team work...I will be back!

• Steve Benjamin - 1978 College Sailor of the Year (Yale), 1982 Olympic Silver Medalist 470, World Champion in the 470, 505, Fireball, Etchells, Rolex Yachtsman of the Year 2015: "E Scow racing is one of the highlights of my career. The boats are true thoroughbreds built for pure speed and a delight to sail."

• Gary Jobson - Three-time Collegiate All American, 1977 America's Cup winner on Courageous, countless other championships, author of 22 books, two Emmy's, ESPN broadcaster, multiple Hall of Fames. When asked to net out his experience with the class: "Competition and Camaraderie"

The fun starts in January with the first "No Sail regatta" at 10 different ski resorts across the US and one in Switzerland. There will be a special toast via webinar on Saturday January 28th. This will be an opportunity to share relationships made on the race course in a different venue. From Grindelwald, Switzerland to Big Sky, Montana, Park City Utah and other ski hillsides, the class that sails together, skis together as well.

There are special class sponsored celebration events being planned for each of our 32 fleets in the US and Canada. Many of these will correspond with a regional regatta, but many will be singular parties held at local club levels, as well. The schedule for these is being finalized and will be updated on our class website soon.

To further recognize the boat's 100th Birthday, The E Scow National Championship regatta will be expanded to a four day event on Lake Mendota in Madison, WI on September 6-10. The modified schedule calls for only two races a day over four days, so the participants can have fun at the special parties planned and have ample time to celebrate this amazing boat. There are expected to be over 100 boats on the starting line at this momentous National Championship.

In addition to these nationwide events, there is an online store devoted to selling and promoting E Scow at 100 Year gear, clothing and general swag, highlighted by a new E Scow book written by Gary Jobson. There is also an E Scow Liberty Puzzle. Lastly, there is information on an endowment created to help foster ongoing promotion and growth for the class for the next 100 years. escow.meridianstores.com/shop/catalog

More information on the E Scow, the 100 year celebration events and the National Championship regatta can be found on the class website e-scow.org.