For the second consecutive year, the
Republic of Thailand proved victorious on U.N. Day at Camp
Timberlane. King John Marks led his forces to a relatively easy
five-point victory; Thailand finished with 142 1/2 points, edging out
Japan, who had 137 1/2. U.S.A finished third with 129 points, with
Jamaica trailing the pack with 128.
The Songs & Cheers were won by the U.S.A., though this
handicapped the team. “We spent too much time on the songs and
presentation; and not enough on programming.”” remarked
U.S.A. head, Jon Heller.
From that point on, Thailand took over, getting the most points in
the marathons, and eventually built into a sizable lead. By the
middle of the third series, it would take a minor miracle to overtake
Thailand. By the time all events were completed, and it was time for
the tug-of-war, they had the day clinched.
One of Marks’ smartest moves was the staff choice of Rick
Mandel. Though not a sprinter or an outstanding speech writer, Mandel
has the ability to program campers into events, probably the hardest
job there is. Rick proved his ability last summer when he led his Pow
Wow tribe, Choctaw, to victory.
Next summer, Thailand, with Johnny Marks, will try and become the
first nation to ever win three U.N. Days in a row. Columbia, headed
by Rick Kagen, was the last to win two in a row, in 1975 and 1976;
though they failed for their third victory last summer.
U.N. Day 1978, while not as close as previous ones, was one of the
smoothest run and enjoyable days in recent memory. Disputes were few,
and everyone involved had a fantastic time. Let’s hope this
trend continues in the years to come.