Hydroplanes hit the Columbia River on Saturday. Here’s what you can see

The APBA Gold Cup — unlimited hydroplane racing’s answer to the NFL’s Super Bowl — is set for July 25-27 in the Tri-Cities.

That’s still a few months off.

But until then, boat racing fans can watch some of the H1 Unlimited fleet run on the Columbia River this Saturday, May 17, in H1 Unlimited’s annual Spring Testing.

Tri-Cities Water Follies race director Aaron Stevens says to expect six unlimiteds, as well as seven other racing boats of smaller classifications.

The event is free to the public, although there is a $5 parking fee in the general lots in the park. Parking opens at 7 a.m.

Stevens says there will be a drivers meeting at 8:30 a.m., and the first boats should hit the water at 9 a.m.

If race fans seem to think that this annual event is happening earlier than normal, they’re right.

It was always usually the first Friday in June for years. But last year, the event was moved into May.

Now, because the organizers for the H1 season opener in Guntersville, Ala., elected to move their race up three weeks to June 6-8, it means race teams must start preparing for the season much earlier.

However, that’s just one reason Spring Training begins two weeks ahead of normal.

“What has happened is Guntersville has moved its date up, and that’s caused the Tri-City Water Follies to move their testing session up,” said Stevens. “But this gives the race teams a chance to prepare for a new race course.”

Indeed, the course on the Columbia River is back to a 2.5-mile track.

The past few years had seen an adjustment and shortening of the race course.

In 2021, Friday qualifying was postponed until the next day due to a proliferation of sago pondweed that had grown in the water.

“Last year, the referee didn’t like a shallow portion of the course (on the Franklin County side of the river), so the course was adjusted,” said Stevens.

It became shorter.

This year, race officials have made the course longer and a bit narrower.

It means the long, sweeping turns that Tri-Cities is used to having will now be tighter — with the west end turns a bit sharper than the east end of the course. But it means the straightaways will be a bit longer.

The six unlimited teams scheduled to be in attendance are:

• U-8 and U-9 Strong Racing boats. Tri-Citians Darrell and Vanessa Strong own boat boats
• U-27 and U-91/1 BWR Racing boats, purchased in the offseason by Tri-Citian Bruce Ratchford
• U-11 Unlimited Racing Group and owners Shannon and Scott Raney of Cle Elum
• U-21 Go Fast, Turn Left team, owned by Seattle’s father-son team of Greg and Brian O’Farrell

In addition, the vintage U-2 Squire Shop boat will hit the water, and the 1984 vintage Atlas Van Lines — which has been in the Water Follies warehouse — will be on display.

Fans can expect food vendors in Columbia Park, a Family Fun Zone starting at 11 a.m., and a music concert at the bandshell stage at 6:15 p.m.

2025 H1 Unlimited schedule

• June 6-8, Guntersville, Ala.
• July 4-5, Madison, Ind.
• July 25-27, APBA Gold Cup in the Tri-Cities
• Aug. 1-3, Seafair, Seattle
• Sept. 12-14, San Diego Bayfair

Boys soccer

If a high school sports fan were to be anywhere on Thursday night, Chiawana High School might be the best spot.

Pasco visits the Riverhawks at 5 p.m. Thursday, May 15, for the District 6 Class 4A boys soccer championship.

These two teams have battled back and forth for the last four years, usually for the district title.

This season, Chiawana has won both of their regular-season matchups, both by identical 1-0 scores.

In the district tournament, neither squad has surrendered a goal: Pasco beating Gonzaga Prep on the road 2-0; then taking down top Mid-Columbia Conference seed Richland 1-0 (5-3 on penalty kicks); Chiawana has won with a 7-0 scored over Mead, and then a 4-0 verdict at Lewis & Clark.

The winner of Thursday night’s title tilt earns a Washington state tournament berth.

The loser, however, still has a shot for a state spot.

It will take on the winner of the Richland at Lewis & Clark, loser-out contest, also at 5 p.m. tonight.

That battle for the second state berth will be played on Saturday.