BILLADO/CANNON SERIES

• THE CANNON TROPHY •

Lowest Series Score – Jib&Main Division

Ties Broken Based on Lowest Corrected Time

14th Consecutive Awarding – 2005

 This trophy is a solid brass 10 gauge starting cannon mounted on a cast iron carriage. It was used for many years as the starting gun for the club’s races. But it was heavy and awkward to use, so eventually the club switched to a 10 gauge shotgun. The cannon was retired to a closet.

 By 1992 non-spinnaker racing had begun to grow to significant numbers, so a new Jib&Main division was added to the club’s long-standing weekend series. A special trophy was needed that would provide to the top non-spinnaker boat in the series the same distinctive recognition that the Billado Cup did for the top spinnaker boat. Commodore Chuck Bowen and Regatta Chair Jeff Hill resurrected the venerable cannon, had it mounted on a mahogany base, and a new tradition was born. In 1997 Bob Goodwin, having the trophy at home as that year’s winner, completely refurbished the cannon and modified the base to make it better able to display winners’ names.

 In 1992 and since, the Cannon series includes the Tea Kettle, the Ladies Cup, the Schuyler Island, and Hot Ruddered Bum races.