Houston popular bet for Scuttleball title

by Craig Leweck, Scuttlebutt Sailing News
The 2023 NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament is better known as March Madness, and the opening weekend delivered once again. Why this matters is due to Scuttleball being the official pool of Scuttlebutt and an opportunity for sailors to show their prowess in something more people can understand.

But who could have anticipated the first-round upsets as 16-seed Fairleigh Dickinson stunned 1-seed Purdue or 15-seed Princeton knocking off 2-seed Arizona? The odds of a perfect bracket are infinitesimal for good reason.

Forty-five people offered up $20 for their name to be online and their skill to be exposed, with Bret Campbell clearly leading the Overall Standings. Campbell is riding the University of Houston Cougars, which proved to be the most popular pick… maybe something to do with the Finals being in Houston.

The Scuttleball rules keeps everyone in the game, and despite her Duke Blue Devils flaming out in the second round, Charlie Arms got enough right to sit in second followed by Sarah Bradley (Texas), David Gendell (Houston), and Chris Gosness (Houston).

I am pleased to be just above the fold and ahead of such luminaries as Ed Furry, Cate Muller, Brad Read, Mary Ewenson, and Allan Terhune… for now. Additional recognition to David Krupka who, aside from me, was the only other entrant embracing the Gonzaga Bulldogs.

While the entry period for Scuttleball has closed, the opportunity to contribute to the official charity still is available to support the EWE Spirit Foundation which honors the legacy of Geoff Ewenson by helping those facing immediate hardship bridge financial and social support gaps.

Go Zags!