Crew members of the USS Portage prepare for the races. They won 3rd place for Best Costume and 3rd place overall. (Photos by Keweenaw Now)
Chelsea Archambeau, 16, comes in for a win against Charlie Richards in the first heat.
Chelsea and her dad, Greg Archambeau, retrieve her boat after the win. Behind Chelsea is Scott MacInnes, Houghton city manager.
Elo Wittig, 12, in his boat, the Tennessee Stud, sets out in the second race of the first heat to win against two rivals in a boat named SOS. (The Tennessee Stud was named for Johnny Cash's horse, subject of a song of that title.)
Elo Wittig comes in for a first-heat win. In the background is the U.S. Coast Guard boat.
Peter Rowe, foreground, and the crew of a boat with a wild design set out in the first heat.
Peter takes the lead and rounds a buoy.
The "stylish" boat wins a prize for the "Best Sinking," but Peter Rowe heads for the next buoy and an easy victory!
Peter rounds the second buoy as crew members of the sinking boat retrieve the pieces.
Peter Rowe paddles to shore for a win in the first heat, greeted by his dad, Steve Rowe, right, and Scott MacInnes.
The Smart Zone ? challenges two-year champion Hancock in the first heat. Race organizers Scott MacInnes, left, and Craig Kurtz assist with the launch.
Hancock rounds the second buoy and takes the lead over the Smart Zone.
The Smart Zone tries to close Hancock's lead ...
The Hancock champions head for shore with the Smart Zone close behind.
Hancock rounds the last buoy and heads for a victory in the first heat. See our video clip for the action!
The City of Houghton boat, left, takes on challenger USS Portage (of Portage Health) in the first heat.
Houghton takes the lead and heads for a win.
It's a battle between pirates of the Flying Dutchman, left, and The Brits (?). The Sheriff seems oblivious ...
The battle gets hotter ...
These pirates are more interested in fighting than in rounding that buoy!
Deadly weapons, those water balloons!
Spectators applaud as the two pirate boats take second (Flying Dutchman) and third place for "Best Sinking." See our video of this one.
The second heat is on with Elo Wittig heading out in front of his two challengers, Peter Rowe and Chelsea Archambeau (whose boat is finally waterlogged). Elo's Tennessee Stud took a second win after both rivals sank.
It's Hancock against Houghton in the second heat. Hancock wins again, but Houghton takes first prize for "Best Costume" -- maybe it's that "hairdo" on former Mayor Tom Merz (in the stern). See the video!
In the second heat, the Smart Zone ? trails the USS Portage at the second buoy.
This race is too close for comfort!
A bit too intent on doing in the USS Portage, the Smart Zone misses a buoy, costing them the race.
And it's the third and final heat between the two winners, Hancock and Elo Wittig in his Tennessee Stud.
While Hancock struggles to catch up despite its greater weight, Elo speeds around the third buoy to victory. See our video!
New Champion Elo Wittig displays his victory medal for first place overall, with his proud Dad, Robert Wittig of Chassell. Dad takes some credit this Father's Day for the "Best Design" award.
The "big boats" have a final race, just for fun ...
... and Houghton heads for a win, with the Smart Zone coming in second. Houghton's boat won second place for "Best Design."
Smart Zone crew members bring in their boat, which won third place for "Best Design."
