Yes, the Champaigne is a tradition. And it helps get the corrosion off the chainplates. I'd say one bottle per finishing boat, though.

I really like Mary's paddle idea for each class winner. Having used them frequently (and lost a few), they'd be a very innovative award.

Instead of full flags, what about those slender pennants (about 3" tall by 24" long)? screenprinted with the year.. Blue, Red and Green? You could fit more of them on your halyard...

And is there any reason the party has to be on Sunday after the race? The awards, yes, but sloppy joes and beer sound like just the thing on Saturday night, when everyone's done and looking for something to do. But maybe Steve is still having his party then?

Man, so many things have been suggested so far:
- reverse the course
- change the awards
- change the award ceremony
- change the starts
- change the setup/launch site...

seems like there's just too much to choose from, and it's not like the race is broken to start with!

come to think of it, is there any reason the awards have to be the same year to year? Other than "ye olde chair" perpetual, maybe a paddle one year, brag flag the next, something the third year.... That way people might keep trying for the "new and exciting trophy"?