For the this yearB次元官网网址檚 great race winner, bathtub racing has been an obsession.

Not only did Brandon Skipper ring the bell in first place in the Great International World Championship Bathtub Race on Sunday, July 23, at NanaimoB次元官网网址檚 Maffeo Sutton Park, but the veteran tubber claimed a new record in a time of one hour, 43 seconds. The previous record was held by Justin Lofstrom who finished the race in 1:07:30 in 2016.

B次元官网网址淚 put a lot of time in this year, almost too much time B次元官网网址� It became more of an obsession. Everything just kind of worked out in my favour today,B次元官网网址� Skipper said. B次元官网网址淲e all joked about me breaking an hour because I knew I had the potential, the speed. But it was really just hard to pace myself out there.B次元官网网址�

The champion added that not only did leading the pack prove difficult as he was used to setting himself to someone elseB次元官网网址檚 pace, but the physical demands of being on the water started to take its toll.

B次元官网网址淵ou just start letting off and letting off and youB次元官网网址檙e getting tired B次元官网网址� vision starts to go a little weird,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 started breaking down just physically around Pipers Lagoon. I just went, B次元官网网址業B次元官网网址檓 so over this.B次元官网网址� The waves were going every which way and it was really glassy, so it was hard to see.B次元官网网址�

Altogether, 36 tubbers competed in this yearB次元官网网址檚 bathtub race, leaving Nanaimo Harbour at 11 a.m. and racing up to the Winchelsea Islands and back.

Trevor Short was the second competitor to ring the bell, coming in at 1:01:25 and keeping steady pace with the champion.

B次元官网网址淸Short] started coming up beside me and started walking on me, and it was an instant second wind B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址楴o, youB次元官网网址檙e not, bud!B次元官网网址� B次元官网网址� And I just kept goingB次元官网网址�B次元官网网址� Skipper said. B次元官网网址淚 put some distance between him and I B次元官网网址� and then I was conservative coming in B次元官网网址� At the end of the day, IB次元官网网址檓 happy.B次元官网网址�

Cody Drzewiecki was third to ring the bell in 1:02:00, Curtis Skipper won the stock division in 1:21:26 and Tara McDonald was first woman to finish in 1:22:02.

Although the champion Brandon Skipper has competed in, or otherwise been a part of the bathtub race community, since 2003, this year marks his first win. His No. 555 super modified Harris Auto tub was built roughly 20 years ago, by himself and a friend, and he said he was fortunate enough to be asked to race it this year.

Although sore and a little beat up, the champion walked away from the race without any major injuries.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 proud of everyone that pushed themselves. You know you get the rough years and then you get the years like this where itB次元官网网址檚 actually super physically demanding because you can hold it wide open but youB次元官网网址檙e just killing your body,B次元官网网址� he said.

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mandy.moraes@nanaimobulletin.com
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