Cudmore Makes Big Mistake

Most of the competitors in the Congressional Cup Masters regatta are older sailors with rusty skills.

But Harold Cudmore, the most recent winner in 1986, still makes sailing his business and was coach and adviser to the French team that was recently eliminated from the America’s Cup.

After winning his first three races Wednesday, however, Cudmore forgot in which match he was sailing in the final round and was late entering the starting area. His opponent, Henry Sprague III, was able to block him out past the two-minute limit, which called for a penalty turn after the start.

“Of all the dumb ways to lose a race and maybe the Congressional Cup, that’s the dumbest,” Cudmore said.

Sprague, who won in 1969, has a 9-3 record, with six races remaining through Friday. Cudmore, Dave Perry, Scott Allan and Dennis Durgan are right behind at 8-4.

Said Sprague: “We’d just like to be in the hunt going into the last race.”