Olympia, WA Sept. 2, 2001 For most Americans, Labor Day weekend marks the end of summer. But for tugboat owners, skipperes and fans, it means the annual Classic at the tugboat racing capitol of the world, Olympia, WA! Twenty boats made their way down to the head of Puget Sound this year. Imagine the quiet hours spent chugging down the Sound, sighting the shining dome of the State Capitol in the distance, passing the homes on the right and on the left, then the various marinas with a couple hundred pleasure boats. Finally, up ahead all the trappings of a festival -- tents, boats and lots and lots of people. Harbor Days, Olympia's greatest event is under way. After the lines are thrown, greetings made between skippers, crews and friends on the shore, it's time to catch up -- who is here,who isn't, and why. "What have you been doing? You look good, what ever happened to -- you know ..." Come Sunday morning, after the skipper's dinner, and a night of parties, the serious business of racing gets under way. Harbormaster, Jeff Dickinson discusses the finer points of the race rules at the skipper's safety meeting held just before the boats pull out for the race course.

The first heat of the day proved to be the most exiting! HONU KAI of Spanaway sprinted out in front at the starting cannon, but the race for second was a nail-biter right up to the finish line as old rivals JOE and CEDAR KING battled it out (below). They remained neck and neck for the entire course until the last minute when Robin Patterson was able to stretch JOE's bow just enough to put her over the line first. It'll be "next year" for CEDAR KING.

As the boats come around the final turn on the run for the finish line, JOE and CEDAR KING refuse to give an inch!.

In the Under 400 hp heat, RELIABLE took yet another win. Her skipper, Phil Shively admitted to being a bit worried as newcomer, CAYOU just wouldn't let go. "She shoulda' beat me, " said Shively, "considering what she's running". On the far left is 3rd place finisher PALOMAR, with 4th place NAINAIMO TILLICUM down  from Garden Bay, British Columbia on the right.     This photo was taken from the stern of RELIABLE (see the year 2000 race page). The good looking CAYOU,  was built in 1952. She works for Thompson Pile Driving Company of Port Orchard, WA. RELIABLE, from Bainbridge Island, WA,  is owned and skippered by Phil Shively of Shively Tug

>	In the Over 400hp heat, EARNEST takes the lead as these two powerhouse tugs pass the pressboat As they approached the finish line, MARLIN II closed the gap, but for EARNEST, it was a squeeker. In a photo finish, she won by 1/2 second! Both boats will be back next year to go at it again!

A couple of photos

The handsome DOMINION, a classic Miki Miki tug was built for the U.S. Army in 1945. Fans of beached and rotting boats can see another Miki tug, CZAR on a beach near Nisqually Reach northwest of Olympia. This photographer spent two weeks photographing her back in the early 1980's --"a sunken hulk that's still on the surface," is how he described her. Hopefully some of those photos will be posted on this web site soon.

Standing Watch  No distraction can deter her from her job

I will be adding more soon. Let me know if you don't see them. I hope you enjoyed this look at Harbor Days and the most fun tugboat racing on Puget Sound. "Seattle's may be bigger, but Olympia's are funner," said one skipper. Thanks once again to Jose Balmores, our press boat driver. He's a great driver, We had a great time, and he had a great time! What a combination! All photographs © copyright 2001, Carl Cook. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced in any manner without permission. This includes internet use. Photographs are watermark imbedded and registered with Digimarc. Click HERE for more information about Harbor Days in Olympia, Washington USA Click HERE to return to my main tugboat page