Hi Les -

Actually, no, the Committee doesn't have a preference of boats. We have a responsibility to provide the level playing field - that's all. Invariably, no matter what boat is selected, there are people who are happy and their are people who are not. I say "selected," but we actually have to pretty much beg manufacturers to stay involved - it is a cost to them, even with the meager charter fee we can offer, to send boats to the event. I'm greatful each year that we have new boats... each time it means we have been able to avoid going back to borrowed boats one more time. Some Championships depend solely on borrowed boats - they crab together the first ten Flying Scotts they can find, clean 'em up some, and let 'er rip. We've been lucky - thank you Jack and Doug, and now add Matt for 2007.

This year we do, as mentioned by others, have the pleasure of seeing the Infusion (still hate the name!) at the event. The production schedule is, as always, tight, but everything is moving forward with the usual attendant excitement and rumour/speculation, well-intentioned or not.