It's sunny, I'm in Tri-Cities, and Andy has "Thunderstruck" cranked up on the main computer. Along the little chunk of river we know as HydroTown, all is right with the world.
Good morning, Tri-Cities. It feels good to be home just in time for the 2008 edition of the Columbia Cup. As Andy very astutely pointed out, this is the closest I have come to missing the show in my life. Even back in 1999, when I was hospitalized for food poisoning on Friday morning, I was still back down in the pits by Saturday evening. Not so this time.
Boats have been tentatively hitting the waters this morning, but a stiff breeze is making everybody conservative. We're off to a good start already, with the biggest field of unlimiteds seen this season, and an unlimited light fleet that rivals the largest numbers of the year as well. It's going to be a terrific race once the wind lays down a little.
Congratulations to Dave Villwock, Steve David and Jimmy King, who all won heat races yesterday. Kudos especially go out to Villwock, who is continuing his winning ways in his first race of the season, and King, who has struggled all season long in the U-3.
Jerry Hopp, Michael Flaherty and the amazing J. Craig Fletcher all traded wins in the Unlimited Lights heats yesterday. Fletcher especially impresses me, grabbing the first win of his short carreer in Polson, Mont. last weekend. Fletcher picked up the former WildFire and UL-33 Graham Trucking hull over the off season, and his program has really been boosted by the effort.
I'll be covering the racing action all day, and keeping you updated. Look for more updates soon!
Similar stories:
If Yeo can vault this Wild team to playoffs, he should be coach of the year
If Yeo can vault this Wild team to playoffs, he should be coach of the year
The young coach, hand-picked by General Manager Chuck Fletcher, had rallied the Wild into playoff contention, earning praise all around the league.
Kamiakin gymnastics loaded once again
Kamiakin gymnastics loaded once again
KENNEWICK -- Kamiakin definitely had a stellar gymnastics season last time around, winning its first 3A state crown.
Can the Braves do it again?
Coach Sarah Garrett and assistant coach Shannon Wills are returning with a highly athletic crew.
Brandon, Kamiakin dominate gymnastics meet
Brandon, Kamiakin dominate gymnastics meet
Kamiakin's Danielle Brandon placed first in the all-around with a score of 36.4 as the Braves dominated an All-CBBN meet.
Kamiakin's Michelle Fletcher took second in the all-around with 36.375 and Richland's Carly Garland was third with 34.275. Southridge placed second in the team race, led by Kiya Bjorge who took first in the bar event with a 9.325.
Team scores--Kamiakin 158.425, Southridge 136.025, Hanford 52.650, Richland 34.275. All-around--1, Danielle Brandon (Kam) 36.4; 2, Michelle Fletcher (Kam) 36.375; 3, Carly Garland (Ric) 34.275. Vault--1, Fletcher (Kam) 9.2; 2, Garland (Ric) 9.1; 3, Brandon (Kam) 9.0. Bars--1, Kiya Bjorge (Sou) 9.325; 2, Brandon (Kam) 8.825; 3, Fletcher (Kam) 8.575 Beam--1, Fletcher (Kam) 9.4; 2, Bjorge (Sou) 9.325; 3, Brandon (Kam) 9.125. Floor--1, Brandon (Kam) 9.45; 2, Fletcher (Kam) 9.2; 3, Garland (Ric) 8.3.
HYDROS: Villwock, David win second heats in Qatar
HYDROS: Villwock, David win second heats in Qatar
Veteran drivers Dave Villwock and Steve David each won their second heat races Friday at the Oryx Cup World Championships for unlimited hydroplanes.
Villwock, whose earlier victory clinched the season championship for his team, the U-96 Spirit of Qatar, had no problem starting in lane 2 of heat 2A as he raced uncontested to the win.
Greg Hopp, starting in lane 1 in the U-100, held off Scott Liddycoat in the U-7 Valken.com and Kip Brown in the U-17 Miss Red Dot to finish second.
Liddycoat declared of hydro race in Qatar
Liddycoat declared of hydro race in Qatar
Driver Scott Liddycoat completed a magical rookie season Saturday by capturing his first unlimited hydroplane victory during a controversial finish at the Oryx Cup UIM World Championship.
Liddycoat was declared the winner by officials after they reviewed film of the start and saw that drivers Steve David, Dave Villwock and J Michael Kelly had crossed the start line early. Those drivers were given a 1-minute penalty and Liddycoat got his first career victory on the H1 Unlimited tour.
“It’s not the way I would have liked to win the first one but I’ll take it,” Liddycoat said. “This year has been unreal. I don’t think it’s quite sunk in yet.”
Print
Email Story
