The ARRL's DXCC Desk announced June 3 that Fausto Minardi, I4EAT, is the winner of the 2007 DXCC Challenge DeSoto Cup. According to ARRL DXCC Manager Bill Moore, NC1L, Minardi achieved this honor with 3129 band points. Bob Eshleman, W4DR, placed second with 3124 band points; Leif Ottosen, OZ1LO, holds the third place spot with 3119. The DeSoto Cup was first presented in 2000 to Eshleman; he has received the award each year since. The 2007 race saw the closest point spread -- five points -- since the DeSoto Cup's inception in 2000.

Moore said that in 2006, Eshleman was leading the race, but Minardi briefly pulled ahead; Eshleman recovered the lead in time to take the Cup for 2006. He continued: "In 2007, the same thing happened with Eshleman leading the pack, but Minardi pulled ahead again and kept the lead and took the title away from Eshleman for the first time ever. I wonder who will take the Cup in 2008."

It looks to be another race this year, Moore said. "Showing no mercy, Minardi recently increased his lead even more by achieving a new level of 3139! Fifteen band points now separate the number 1 and number 2 spots!"

The DeSoto Cup is presented to the DXCC Challenge leader as of December 31 each year. The DeSoto Cup is named for Clinton B. DeSoto, whose definitive article in October 1935 QST forms the basis of the DXCC award. Only one cup will be awarded to any single individual. A medal will be presented to a repeat winner in subsequent years. Medals will also be awarded to the second and third place winners each year. The DXCC Challenge Award is given for working and confirming at least 1000 DXCC band-entities made after November 15, 1945 on any of the amateur bands, 160 through 6 meters (except 60 meters).