The 41st Willard Hanmer Guideboat and Canoe Race featured a new event that seemed to be the highlight of the day - the Colby Relay. The six-member team of Hodge Podge won the event by completing three laps of the half-mile course (two at a time) in a time of 8:57.
The day still saw guideboat racing that has been a feature for each of the 40 plus years, along with some exciting canoe and kayak racing. James Bullis, Saranac Lake, turned in the fast guideboat time, in the Modern Guideboat Masters Category, with a time of 30:20 on the 3.27 mile course. Just beind in the Solo Modern Guideboat Open Category, Mike Mitchell, Old Forge, turned in a time of 30:30, for a first place finish.
Another Saranac Laker, Charles Brumley, won the Solo Traditional Guideboat Open Category, with a time of 32:17.
Taking the Grandaddy Men Category with a time of 36:05 was the team of Roger and Douglas Gray.
Leading the women was Mary Brown, Plattsburgh. She had a time of 36:16 in the Solo Modern Female Master. Brenda Lord made the trip from Boulder, Colorado to win the Solo Modern Female Open race with a time of 46:47.
The fastest boat of the day came in the C2 Stock Male Open Category. Randy Sapp and Phil Parker, Vermont, won their race with a time of 29:28.
Of course, one of the great joys of the Willard Hanmer Race is the Fledgling Race (ages 14 and younger). Maile Sapp and Hillary Sapp, Hillary, won the Female Fledgling covered the mile course in 10:39. Bryant Lord won the Male Kayak Fledgling with a time of 9:28.
Complete results are below. Making the race happen was the sponsorship of: Adirondack Lakes & Trails Outfitters, Ampersand Bay Resort and Boat Club, The Doctor's Inn, Evergreen Auto Center Inc., Fogarty's Lake Flower Marina, Harbor Hill Inn & Cottages, Lodge on Lake Clear, Martha Day Realty, Meyer Gifts, Saranac Lake Chiropractic, Moore's Lumber and Saranac Studios Screen Printing.
For more information about canoeing in the Saranac Lake Area call 891-1990.
