Fire breathers in the canal
After a day of racing Sept. 14, it came down to just one race for bragging rites in the second annual Lewes Dragon Boat Festival. And just five-tenths of a second separated the top three teams.
Although their average time for the first three races was not even in the top five, the Power Strokers from the Law Offices of Griffin and Hackett saved their best for last to win the coveted championship oar with a time of 1:03.129 in the finals. Within a few ticks of the watch in second place was Cross Fit Lewes – Channel One Elite in 1:03.430 and in third was Echelon Custom Homes Dragon Hearts in 1:03.680.
Striper Bites – last year's winner – finished in fourth in 1:04.481 and the Pilot's Association for the Delaware Bay and River Virden Victors – last year's third place team – finished in fifth with a time of 1:04.998.
Gay Knapp Marini's Don't Worry 'Bout It team was picked as the community's favorite team, a team of students from Sussex Academy won the youth division and Team Rehoboth won the women's title.
At least 3,500 spectators turned out in Lewes' Canalfront Park to watch 30 teams compete in the event to benefit the Sussex Academy Foundation.
More than $50,000 will be turned over to the foundation, said Gina Derrickson, community and communications manager for Sussex Academy.
She said volunteers putting on the event were ecstatic. “We don't know how it could have been more perfect,” she said.
She said the committee wants to stage the event again in 2015. “We will meet with the Lewes City Council to seek approval,” she said.
She also said organizers will cap the event at 30 teams. “We've already had teams call for boats next year,” she said.
The remaining top 12 finishers:
6th - Law Offices of Scott and Shuman Draggin' Booty, 1:05.298; 7th - VR/Ryan Homes Build-Oars, 1:05.432; 8th - Schell Brother Fire Breathers, 1:06.066; 9th - Faw and Casson Ledgers of Doom, 1:06.516; 10th - Big Fish Big Salty Summer Crabs, 1:07.150; 11th - Dogfish Head Doggie Paddlers, 1:09.803; 12th - Sussex Emergency Associates SEA Dragons, 1:09.919.
