I am glad the site is back. This is a play by play of the weekend I will never forget. We made our five hour journey from western Montana to central Washington to a place called Banks Lake for the second race of the season.
If you know anything about the Columbia river basin the wind howls most of the time. Fridays testing was no exception. We had white caps at times but were allowed to go out. I took out my brand new boat just to check the feel of the steering and was suprised at how well the boat handled. I felt good about the boat. We planned to run 20 SSH and CSH. Team SS ( the Stone family) offered to help us pit so that my son in law and I could race in the same classes against each other. Motivation factor.
Saturday the water was like a mill pond all day. 8 boats were in the 20 SSH class and we did three section both Saturday and Sunday. This would give us lots of driving time. The first couple of heats I used to time my starts since I was given permission to move up for my second race on Friday night. I believe I finished 3rd and 4th. The boat handle great and I praticed my turns the way everyone on the other web site said. I found what worked for me and my boat. The last heat I finished second and found out what a great start and side by side racing for thee laps is all about. Dave M was right, there is nothing, and I mean nothing like it.
Sunday the water was still like a mill pond. This just never happens in this area. I was really feeling good about me and my boat. For a new person like myself, I really felt good about a perfect flying start on the ouside. I use that all day just to stay out of trouble. It is really fun to go into the first turn in the lead even if you are in lane 5 or 6. Then as I cleared boats I would continue moving in a lane. All three heats on Sunday came down to three boats, mine, the son in law and a hard racing Jill Walling ( 2007 high point) Each heat it was side by side for all 3 laps. It was exciting being in it but I also wish I could of seen it as a spectator too. The last corner we would look at each other and then get as low and back as far as we could and let her fly. I won twice and she won once. She said afterwards that it was some of the best racing she has been involved in. It was fun on the cool down lap to wave and acknoledge the fun you just had with the other drivers.
I had no idea that they throw you in for your first heat win so I got a bath. But at the awards ceremony I definately was not expecting a second bath. I was having so much fun racing and did not care about points but I ended up with more than everyone else for the two days. I do have one complaint, my right hip and left knee are killing me this morning.
If the Stones are out there I would like to thank them and all the folks on this site for the help and the folks at the race. This was a dream come true. When I started I did not care if I ever won and if it never happens again so be it. This is to much fun and the folks are great. The Stones have some great pictures of the race and hopefully they will post them. I hope they got some of my new boat since I don't have any.
If you know anything about the Columbia river basin the wind howls most of the time. Fridays testing was no exception. We had white caps at times but were allowed to go out. I took out my brand new boat just to check the feel of the steering and was suprised at how well the boat handled. I felt good about the boat. We planned to run 20 SSH and CSH. Team SS ( the Stone family) offered to help us pit so that my son in law and I could race in the same classes against each other. Motivation factor.
Saturday the water was like a mill pond all day. 8 boats were in the 20 SSH class and we did three section both Saturday and Sunday. This would give us lots of driving time. The first couple of heats I used to time my starts since I was given permission to move up for my second race on Friday night. I believe I finished 3rd and 4th. The boat handle great and I praticed my turns the way everyone on the other web site said. I found what worked for me and my boat. The last heat I finished second and found out what a great start and side by side racing for thee laps is all about. Dave M was right, there is nothing, and I mean nothing like it.
Sunday the water was still like a mill pond. This just never happens in this area. I was really feeling good about me and my boat. For a new person like myself, I really felt good about a perfect flying start on the ouside. I use that all day just to stay out of trouble. It is really fun to go into the first turn in the lead even if you are in lane 5 or 6. Then as I cleared boats I would continue moving in a lane. All three heats on Sunday came down to three boats, mine, the son in law and a hard racing Jill Walling ( 2007 high point) Each heat it was side by side for all 3 laps. It was exciting being in it but I also wish I could of seen it as a spectator too. The last corner we would look at each other and then get as low and back as far as we could and let her fly. I won twice and she won once. She said afterwards that it was some of the best racing she has been involved in. It was fun on the cool down lap to wave and acknoledge the fun you just had with the other drivers.
I had no idea that they throw you in for your first heat win so I got a bath. But at the awards ceremony I definately was not expecting a second bath. I was having so much fun racing and did not care about points but I ended up with more than everyone else for the two days. I do have one complaint, my right hip and left knee are killing me this morning.
If the Stones are out there I would like to thank them and all the folks on this site for the help and the folks at the race. This was a dream come true. When I started I did not care if I ever won and if it never happens again so be it. This is to much fun and the folks are great. The Stones have some great pictures of the race and hopefully they will post them. I hope they got some of my new boat since I don't have any.
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