Hydro racer wins second year in a row

Five small hydroplanes were launched into Quartermaster Harbor on Saturday morning, carrying on the tradition of circling Vashon in the early morning hours of the Fourth of July. The informal race dates back to the late 1950s, when Roger Stanley and Warren Bibbins raced each other around the island in their hydro

By Brian Brenno • July 7, 2015 2:27 pm
Mitch Van Buskirk flies by spectators at Jensen Point. He finished second in the annual Fourth of July race around the island.
Mitch Van Buskirk flies by spectators at Jensen Point. He finished second in the annual Fourth of July race around the island.

Five small hydroplanes were launched into Quartermaster Harbor on Saturday morning, carrying on the tradition of circling Vashon in the early morning hours of the Fourth of July. The informal race dates back to the late 1950s, when Roger Stanley and Warren Bibbins raced each other around the island in their hydros.

This year on a perfectly calm morning, five hydros were launched from the Jensen Point start/finish line, and 41:26 minutes later, Karl Olsen flew by the finish line for his second win in a row.

Olsen’s boat, which has run the circuit many years and has been passed down from at least four now retired racers, took advantage of the calm early morning waters to edge out Mitch Van Buskirk, who came in at 43:15, followed by Ty Christophersen at 43:30.

Olsen was presented with a new perpetual trophy, designed by racer Larry Fuller and made from the power head of an old hydro motor. The perpetual trophy has been passed from winner to winner since 1976, and this year it had had no more room for winners’ names.

Evan Mattingly also started the race but was not able to finish after a breakdown near Camp Sealth. Paul Hoffmann intended to race as well but had mechanical problems and did not start.