“Million Dollar Run 2010 Powers along Seven Mile Beach”
The 8th annual Ugland Offshore Racing Million Dollar Run powered into the waters of Seven Mile Beach this past Easter Monday, featuring 12 of the Cayman Island’s most impressive boats and a race which left spectators in suspense, as the competing captains continued to switch lead all the way to the finish line and some even dropping out of the last two laps due to technical difficulties. As always back on land excitement surrounded the extremely competitive best Crew Contest and we had one captain scoring a double win – Dale Crighton from team Heavy Metal – who walked away with the best Craft prize and the fastest time overall. Million Dollar Run is presented along with Ugland Offshore racing by Dragon Bay, Grand Cayman.
Coming in first for the Dragon Bay Trophy for the Best Time Offshore prize, Dale Crighton made this year’s win his fourth over the years, taking home a cash prize and an exquisite Corum timepiece presented By Magnum Jewelers. Dale Crighton of Team Heavy Metal raced in a terrific 42-foot Yellow and Blue Fountain which was also the winner of the Harbour House best Craft Trophy. Crighton was joined on the water by international throttle-man Troy Hannon of Fort Lauderdale. Following in second place was first time racer Michael Ryan of Dragon Bay, competing in an all black 32-foot Buzzi named ‘The Punisher’ and third place Andreas Ugland of Ugland Offshore Racing in his all red 42-foot Buzzi.
In Circuit Class, the Crighton Properties, best time prize was won by a new captain racing for his first time in the event, Wayne Kirkconnell taking to the water in a 38-foot Fountain ‘Way To Go’. As first time competitors Team ‘Way To Go’ started the race at a good pace, but when they seen Ian Tibbetts of ‘More Pressure’ and Merlin Seymour of “Ole Ally Cat” drop out of the last few laps due to engine problems, they took this as a chance to step up their game and move higher up the positions to eventually reaching the first place position.
In the outlaw class, which encompasses boats under 500 horsepower, Pablo Rousseau of Team Powerplay in the thirty-two foot, 500 horsepower Powerplay craft came out the winner of the Goldfield Cayman Outlaw Class Trophy.
Team Powerplay also managed to hold onto the prize as best crew, with a team of girls decked out in a blue and white sailor dress and captains hat, they walked away with the Titan Security best crew Trophy.
And the Ugland offshore racing best poker hand prize went to Bob Watler of ‘Team Happy Ours ll’ after having dropped out the last lap on the circuit course due major engine problems; this was the highlight of the team’s day.
“We are extremely happy with the new location of this year’s event,” stated organiser Kenny Rankin. “Being able to host the race on Seven Mile Beach, really opens up the event to allow spectator interaction and builds a lot of excitement for the race. We had a few new captains involved this year as well as some new and exciting crafts, such as, Michael Ryan in the Punisher, Ian Tibbetts with his new craft, More Pressure, the Concrete Boyz and the Concept Dragon Captained by Mario Rankin. A few of the captains experienced engine troubles during the race, but overall we had a safe race and the captains had a great time out there.”
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