The Over 400 Horsepower heat saw some real completion, as IRONMAN who came around the Olympic Peninsula from Aberdeen for this race, took off ahead of the pack. She ultimately developed engine trouble and had to drop out of the race -- tough luck .
The waters swirled with foam as ISLAND CHAMPION, DONALD R. and OLMSTEAD jostled for position.
A big surprise this year was the apparent demise of the PARTHIA - Cayou rivalry (see 2003's race coverage). After a strong start, CAYOU (Center)  dropped behind, possibly getting caught up in ISLAND Champion's wake, while PARTHIA, after shooting into first place off the line as she usually does --
was eventually overtaken by newcomer, OLMSTED who just needed some distance to get up to speed. It was another David and Goliath moment reminiscent of the 1997 battle between MARY L and GENERAL KNOX.

 

Over 400 HP Class

BOAT

OWNER / SKIPPER

HOMEPORT

TIME
1. OLMSTED Giles Sydnor Seattle, WA 8 min 36 sec.
2. PARTHIA Mark Donner Vashon Isaland, WA 9 min 48 sec.
3. ST 2130 Bruce Morelan Westport, WA 10 min 07 sec.
4. DONALD R Buzz Dana Seattle, WA 10 min 13 sec.
5. ISLAND CHAMPION Hilbert Bartels Seattle, WA 10 min 15 sec.
6. CAYOU Paul Fritts Port Orchard, WA 10 min 15 sec.
7. IRON MAN   Grays Harbor, WA (Aberdeen?) Dropped out due to engine trouble

 

 

The Unlimited Class -- The big boys went off the line, lathering up the water.  Here, EARNEST out of Seattle tries to catch the fast JUDY M.
While down below on ISLAND WIND, the engineer pours it on!
Fighting for second place, EARNEST, DANIELLE, and MARLIN II. JUDY M was the easy winner.

Unlimited Class

BOAT

 OWNER / SKIPPER HOMEPORT TIME
1. JUDY M Joe Manke Shelton, WA 8 min 36 sec.
2. MARLIN II Bill Staab Seattle, WA 9 min 20 sec.
3. DANIELLE John Hurst Shelton, WA 9 min 30 sec.
4. EARNEST Mike Young Seattle, WA 9 min 32 sec.
5. ISLAND WIND David Wells Seattle, WA 9 min 39 sec.

 

A couple of fun shots:

(L) A crazy videographer goes up the slot between EARNEST and DANIELLE.

(R) Tugboat groupies are a special breed -- for sure!

 

Photographs and text © Copyright 2004, Carl Cook. All rights reserved. May not be reproduced in any manner whatsoever without permission. This includes Internet use.

Special thanks goes to Scott Wall and his friend for providing for and driving the Press Boat, without which we would not be able to shoot these pictures.  Thanks too, to Nancy Sigafoos for finding us a press boat for this year.

Corrections should be addressed to the author. Please email clcook@olywa.net

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