2015 Gold Cup Hydroplane Race To Be Held Sunday at Tri-Cities Water Follies

Sunday I, along with my wife and Andy, will be heading to the 2015 Tri-Cities Water Follies on the Columbia River to see the running of this year's Gold Cup.

This being the 50th anniversary of the Tri-Cities Water Follies, it is fitting that the APBA Gold Cup will be awarded there. The Gold Cup is the premier hydroplane boat race in the United States, which is sanctioned by the American Power Boat Association and run as part of the H1 Unlimited season. The race has been contested annually since 1904, and, up until 1990, rotated regularly between locations.

Being born in Seattle, I will always remember Seafair and the hydros on Lake Washington, so I  have always had a fair to midland interested in the "boat races" (as the locals refer to them).

The weather and the water should be spectacular with sunshine and 82 degrees forecast.

We've been invited to a catered private area on "Bulldog Beach," where all the food and drinks are complimentary! We'll watch from just off the river bank and probably wade into the mighty Columbia. From there, this what the sights and sound will be like coming off of turn three as the boats approach speeds of upwards of 160 mph: