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June 2007 News
Cardboard boat races: even more photos!
While some of the "pirates" seemed to be in the races just for the fun
of it, others took the competition seriously and put lots of energy into
paddling to win.
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Wearing an original type of "pirate" garb, these
"Vikings" prepare to meet the cardboard and duct tape challenge. (Photo ©
2007 Gustavo Bourdieu)
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After suffering shipwreck and losing a couple of crew members, two of the
"Vikings" struggle to keep their craft afloat. (Photo © 2007
Gustavo Bourdieu)
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The "SmartZone" crew appeared to take their paddling very seriously
and participated in the final heat, coming in second after Hancock, with
Houghton third and the "SS Shoestack" fourth.
Carlton Crothers, crew member of the "SmartZone," and CEO of the
Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation SmartZone, said they all worked together
to build the boat in two weeks.
"I think the team did a great job," Crothers said. "We need to
improve on coordination in the strokes."
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"SmartZone" crew members negotiate a turn around a buoy with
"SS Shoestack" close behind. "SmartZone" finished second in
the final heat and
"SS Shoestack" fourth after Houghton's third place. (Photo © 2007 Michele Anderson)
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"SmartZone" crew member Phil Musser, chairman of the Michigan Tech
Enterprise Corporation SmartZone Board of Directors and executive director of
the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance, called this year's cardboard boat
race a "pirate free-for-all."
"I thought it was a great race," Musser said, "a lot of good
antics and humor. I think it was just what everybody needed on a cooling Sunday
morning during Bridgefest."
Musser said the "SmartZone" boat, which was also in the race last
year, has a "secret weapon" that it did not use in this year's
competition -- in the spirit of comradeship.
"But given the shenanigans in this year's race (including a spectator
who swam out to interfere with one of the boats finishing) who knows what will
happen next year?" Musser added.
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"SmartZone" crew members do some serious paddling in the boat they
built in two weeks. Paddling at the stern (far left) is Phil Musser, chairman of
the Michigan Tech Enterprise Corporation SmartZone Board of Directors and
executive director of the Keweenaw Economic Development Alliance. (Photo © 2007 Michele Anderson)
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"Be there next year," Musser advised, "because it will be all
new antics and payback time!"
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"Deep Blue Yeti," left, comes in for a landing a bit too close to
Hancock's "Re-loaded" -- or are they hitching a ride? In the final
heat, "Deep Blue Yeti" capsized and took fifth place. (Photo © 2007
Michele Anderson)
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The cardboard boat race event had the support of both the U.S. Coast Guard
and the Houghton County Sheriff, who patrolled the area in their boats for
safety. In addition, Keweenaw Memorial Medical Center staff were on hand in case
of emergency. No mishaps or injuries were reported. Shipwrecked sailors had a
refreshing swim.
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The U.S. Coast Guard boat patrols the Portage Canal for safety during the
race. Hancock's boat is in the foreground. (Photo © 2007 Gustavo Bourdieu)
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Supportive spectators cheer their favorite crews during one of the cardboard
boat races -- a popular event at Bridgefest 2007. The Sheriff's patrol boat and
the Portage Lift Bridge can be seen in the background. (Photo © 2007 Gustavo
Bourdieu)
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Finally, Habitat for Humanity's bake sale was a welcome addition to the
event!
Editor's Note: Gustavo Bourdieu is a photographer for Keweenaw Now.
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