John Marks’ Thailand team gave it a
good shot, but was unable to win their third United Nations Day title
as Steve Lebau’s Viet Nam took the winners circle. The U.N.
competition took place on Tuesday, July 10.
The day began with the opening ceremonies which ended in a tie
between Thailand and Jim Goldstein’s Transylvania. Goldstein
presented the most original entrance as he came in a fake
“coffin”. Marks went for a different approach as he
capitalized on his teams’ victories the last two years with the
theme of “Tradition”.
The day proved to be a very tight four-team race between Thailand,
Transylvania, Viet Nam and Carl Bassewitz’s Saudi Arabia. Saudi
held the lead at the end of all of the first three series, and going
into the Tug-O-War only Transylvania was out of the running.
As the tug progressed, it became apparent that Saudi’s lead was
diminishing. The team lost both bouts and underdog Vietnam pulled
ahead. Nam won both tugs, and this was enough to secure the day for
them.
Winning captain Steve Lebau commented on the day, “It was the
greatest day of my camping life, even better than the day that I won
my first game of tennis, “ he said. John Marks displayed good
sportsmanship, though, and was heard saying, “At least I
don’t have to clean up the watermelon and coke party!”
The final score for the day was Viet Nam 145 pts., Thailand 137
pts...Saudi Arabia 136 pts., and Goldy’s Transylvania with 120
points.