Kelly wins at Seafair after ruling

SEATTLE – Jimmy Shane started the celebration on the way to the dock.

Coasting his hydroplane to land a few docks away on Lake Washington, J. Michael Kelly didn’t resign himself to the disappointment of a loss.

And sure enough, the news soon came that he was the Albert Lee Appliance Cup champion, despite crossing the finish line second.

Shane was assessed a one-minute penalty for encroachment on the first turn of the final lap of the Seafair finale, bumping him to sixth place, but it wasn’t immediately radioed to the racers as officials reviewed footage from when the two boats made contact.

“It’s unfortunate for them and it was unfortunate for us to lose our rear wing,” said Kelly, who’s Graham Trucking I boat lost a part near the end of the previous lap. “Referee ruled it. Worked out for us in the end … champions again.”

Kelly, who’s from Bonney Lake, Washington, and won the race a year ago, said he lost momentum when the two boats hit and thought Shane would be penalized.

Shane was disappointed with the ruling.

“Very unfortunate, I think it was good, tight racing,” Shane said. “I really don’t agree with it.”