Canadian wins Seafair hydro race

SEATTLE – Canada’s Jean Theoret drove LLumar Window Film to victory in the Chevrolet Cup at Seafair race for unlimited hydroplanes on Lake Washington Sunday, beating favorite Dave Villwock, driving Ellstrom Manufacturing.

Theoret took the lead in the first turn of the winner-take-all final and was never seriously challenged.

Villwock had been the favorite, but never was able to mount a challenge to Theoret in the final.

Villwock, who finished second overall, had problems in the third preliminary heat when he drove through a rooster tail, dislocating his front spar.

Steve David finished third driving Oh Boy! Oberto. David had expected to make a stronger showing, but his boat stalled before the start, putting him out of contention.

Mike Weber took fourth, aboard Formula Powerboats, and rookie Jeff Bernard was fifth, driving Lakeridge Paving. Sixth went to Ken Muscatel, driving Miss Rock.

Theoret is the first Canadian driver to win an unlimited hydroplane race in the United States since Bob Hayward won the 1959 Detroit Memorial.

Theoret, of Lery, Quebec, said the Seafair win felt similar to victories at races for smaller boats in his home territory.

Asked to compare his boat with Villwock’s, Theoret said: “I think my boat is a better rough water boat.”