Scuttleball 2019: Three feel good stories

Jim Lodico

The 31st edition of Scuttleball, the annual occasion when sailors can seek to satisfy their inner-jock during the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, has concluded for the 190 brackets that sought perfection.

But the ideal route to winning the race is rarely being perfect… just better than everyone else… a feat best accomplished by 2019 winner Jim Lodico of Chesapeake Aerial Photo in Annapolis, MD.

Jim’s bracket only had four of the elite eight, and two of the final four, but he hooked his buggy to the Virginia Cavaliers, the feel good story of the tournament.

From their elimination last year in the first round as the #1 seed, the Cavs refused to fail again in 2019, showing the grit needed to survive the three best weekends of sport.

Virginia wasn’t the only ‘outhouse to penthouse’ story as Jim learned lessons as well from last year, raising his game from a 177th place finish to the top of the heap. Two feel good stories in one year? As they say, “That’s why they play the game.”

Proceeds from Scuttleball 2019 are still being calculated but will soon be forwarded to The Warrior Sailing Program which provides maritime education and outreach for wounded, ill and injured service members and veterans. That makes three feel good stories. Damn, that feels good!

Aside from priceless bragging rights, sponsor support provides actual stuff for the top ten ballers. And speaking of the top ten, props go to Sue Mikulski and J. Leary who make the list after a year ago finishing 3rd and 10th respectively. These two are legit ballers.

Prize List
1. Jim Lodico: A Cobra Radios VHF radios with Bluetooth technology, 2 Onyx inflatable lifejackets automatic with harness for offshore sailing, $500 gift certificate redeemable at any Torqeedo Dealer towards the purchase of a motor of your choice.

2. Sue Mikulski: A Newport Shipyard trucker hat, Ronstan gear bags, NEW Spinlock Alto belt pack!

3. Jeff Gentzen: Newport Shipyard Belt.

Plus the top ten all get a Warrior Sailing T-Shirt!

Beyond bragging rights and sponsor schwag is the 2019 Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy Award to give special recognition for futility. The good and bad news for John Duke is he dominated the race to the bottom by having five brackets behind everyone else, earning him a lifetime subscription to Scuttlebutt.

So that’s all we got … see ya next year!

Event details – Complete standings – Facebook