Port Huron International Offshore Race 2014

[Ratickle]

Up early and on the way to Port Huron, USA/Sarnia, Canada. Drivers meeting scheduled for 9:00 AM, 3 1/2 hour drive. The weather forecast was about as good as it gets for this time of year. Hope there is enough wind running from the south to kick up some swells on the river though. The turnout was running in the mid-thirty boat count so there were three races scheduled - Noon, 1:30, and 3:00.

[Ratickle]

In chatting with Freeze and Shoot2Thrill, they had the middle of the course and the south end of the course covered. Since the boats come so close to the Canadian side of the course, and they have a great setup for viewing, food, drinks, and entertainment I decided to go over there. The only down side is crossing the bridge, sometimes it can really take awhile. Only about 20 minutes on the way over, no problem.

The layout for Sarnia.

[Ratickle]

Shoot 2 Thrill was on the Coast Guard Cutter at the south end on the US side. Good spot, it's amazing how those ex-navy guys can get in with those Coast Guard guys no problem.

[Ratickle]

One of the volunteer/patrol boats from the Sarnia Marina. They would help pass the time between races and while waiting for ships to pass.



Along with one of the Canadian patrol boats.

[Ratickle]

That Canadian Royal Mounted Police boat was a bit odd. Notice the seating? Is that so they feel like they are still on a horse so they won't fall off the boat?





Could you imagine that seating in really rough water????

[Ratickle]

We also had dancing Royal Canadian Stiltsmen entertainers doing something like the macarana with the crowd.....









I hooked up with Beth and Adam, inbetween, but they didn't go dance with the Canadians so I have no good pics or video to embarrass them with.

[Ratickle]

First Race, First Start was Super Vee Lite. Good turnout again with 7 boats in the class, in St Clair it had been Pirate with the win. Would the results be the same or different???? Randy couldn't make it because of family commitments, so Smitty and Louie were in Typhoon.

They came around the first corner with Lilly in front followed by Punisher and Typhoon. Then Tug It and Pirate side by side followed by Octane and Pump It.

[Ratickle]

[Pete B]

That is what it is designed for Rough water

[h2oMag]

Our US-1 Scarab team started the Super Vee Lite race, it was the first time we worked the Port Huron race. It was a shame that the freighters had to show up & stop the race.

[Ratickle]

It was good chatting with you for a second after the drivers meeting.

You mean like this guy??????

[Ratickle]

[h2oMag]

It was good chatting with you for a second after the drivers meeting.

You mean like this guy??????

Sorry I did not get to talk to longer as we had a issue going on with who was going to be in the pace boat #1, & starting the race. Things did not go as smoothly in Port Huron as they did in St Clair, as it was just a little hectic after the drivers meeting but it all worked out.. In the first race we had hoped the south bound freighter would slow up more so we could get the race in, but that north bound [tug] freighter was not on race controls list & caught us off guard. In the second race the Coast Guard stopped the race sooner to be on the safe side with that other down bound freighter, because of that we did not have enuff time to restate that race if we wanted the last race to come off at all. The Super Cat & Vee race were the only races that ran the full distance & as soon as it was over hear came the freighters again. Racing & Dealing with international waters is a real challenge for race control,, in all it was a good day of racing & no real accidents. Mark

[inbetween]

Paul, it was good to see you. Thanks for spending the afternoon with Beth and I.

[inbetween]

Too bad I wasn't paying attention, I was busy watching the other 8 or nine boats in the first corner. These were kind of off to the side of a few pics.

[Ratickle]

Nice job. I only got a couple shots it happened so fast......


Fun chatting with you two. Thanks for the water and pretzels too.....

[Ratickle]

That is what it is designed for Rough water

Not with my family jewels it's not.......

[Ratickle]

[Ratickle]

Second start in the first race was Class 5.

[Ratickle]

Third start, first race, Class 7.