Big crowds and not so big model boats converged at the Government Dock Saturday for a windy ninth annual Old Town Pond Sailors Regatta.
The yearly nautical contest, which sees competitors cast their do-it-yourself miniature vessels into Yellowknife Bay for a race to the wind-assisted finish, drew longtime Old Town residents, curious spectators and young SA国际影视传媒� and not so young SA国际影视传媒� kid-parent racers.
SA国际影视传媒�ItSA国际影视传媒檚 super fun,SA国际影视传媒� said Jay Bulckaert, who, along with his father Al, made up one of the race's more senior parent-offspring duos.
With Al visiting from Ontario, Jay, an Old Town resident, suggested the two compete in the race.
SA国际影视传媒�We put our heads together and decided to make one very last minute,SA国际影视传媒� said Jay.
The finished product? A hot-pink sailboat made of cardboard.
Jay Bulckaert, left, and dad Al show off their crafty creation SA国际影视传媒� a last minute effort that saw Al apply his technical past to a tinier subject matter. Despite novel ingenuity or fancy boats, the race is anyone's game, and that's part of it's appeal, says Jay.
SA国际影视传媒�Most people think we're crazy trying to make a boat out of cardboard. (They think) itSA国际影视传媒檚 going to sink,SA国际影视传媒� said Al. SA国际影视传媒�No, we know how to make this so itSA国际影视传媒檚 going to float.SA国际影视传媒�
AlSA国际影视传媒檚 technical background proved handy with the design of the eye-catching creation. After finding the schematics of a similar, larger boat, he scaled down the design to bring the mini contender to life.
The model boat came with a couple SA国际影视传媒� legal SA国际影视传媒� tricks up its sleeve.
SA国际影视传媒�WhatSA国际影视传媒檚 very good about this boat is that itSA国际影视传媒檚 jet propelled,SA国际影视传媒� said Jay moments before race-time. SA国际影视传媒淭he rules are you canSA国际影视传媒檛 have any electronics, but those things are filled with high-grade vinegar, and then my dad made some charges that are made of equally high-grade baking soda.SA国际影视传媒�
ItSA国际影视传媒檚 a natural kick Jay banked on, but admitted itSA国际影视传媒檚 anyoneSA国际影视传媒檚 game SA国际影视传媒� an unpredictability he said is part of the eventSA国际影视传媒檚 charm.
Jay said events like the regatta and the Dead North film festival, which he runs, give the underdog a chance to come out on top.
SA国际影视传媒�ThatSA国际影视传媒檚 the beauty of these types of events in this town. You get folks who come out who are pros, people who are doing it for the first time. And often, itSA国际影视传媒檚 the first-time people who win,SA国际影视传媒� said Jay.
His sentiment was echoed by regatta founder Anthony SA国际影视传媒淪now KingSA国际影视传媒� Foliot, who said a miniature boat doesnSA国际影视传媒檛 need to be SA国际影视传媒渇ancySA国际影视传媒� to be crowned champion.
Three-year-old Elliott Servel, foreground, played the role of keen observer and sail-customizer while his dad, Nicolas, built the Styrofoam and bamboo stick boat named as a tribute to Elliott.
Nicolas Servel and his three-year-old son Elliott were one of those newcomer duos testing their crafty creations Saturday.
Nicolas, who enjoys real-life sailing himself, designed most of the ship SA国际影视传媒� dubbed Elliott and made of Styrofoam and bamboo sticks SA国际影视传媒� while while his young co-caption observed.
SA国际影视传媒�But he designed the sails and customized them a little,SA国际影视传媒� said Servel. SA国际影视传媒�ISA国际影视传媒檓 hoping he may have the taste to try his own a bit later.SA国际影视传媒�
For many families with a boat in the race, the ninth annual regatta was the latest in a long line.
Kiran Ray, 11, and sister Sula, 8, have both competed in the last few races SA国际影视传媒� with the help of mom and dad.
Like many others, they started last-minute, but got a helping hand from their mom, who sewed the mini-boat sails, and from their father, who helps them design year after year.
After strong winds made for a short race, the top three boats were crowned SA国际影视传媒� and on-land sailors took home prizes.
Pat KaneSA国际影视传媒檚 the Procrastinate SA国际影视传媒� a rented model boat put together by regatta founder Tony "Snow King" Foliot just hours before the race SA国际影视传媒� reached the marker on Yellowknife Bay first, snagging top prize. Jeff Singer's the SS Eva Went Camping SA国际影视传媒� named after his designer daughter's last-minute trip SA国际影视传媒� took second-place with a low-budget bottle, filled with bottoms and buoyed by balloons.
Jay, Al, and their powered-by-science vinegar vessel rounded out the top three.
Foliot says next year's race, the 10th annual, will be better and bigger SA国际影视传媒� but still tiny.
