A New Zealand double dominates qualifying at the Régates de Valleyfield

On this first day of exciting competition at the Régates de Valleyfield, Néomédia has prepared a pictorial review of the event that attracts thousands of visitors to the region. Brothers Jack and Ken Lupton dominated qualifying on Friday, July 14. 

The first race of the day started at midday. The last race took place around 4.05pm. 

The first class to get into the action around noon was the Grand Prix. After that, the Hydro 350, 2.5-liter, Vintages, Formula 2 500, Hydro 350, JSS, ProHydro classes were on the program before the return of the Grand Prix category and the A final of the Hydro 350 class. 

Disappointment for one local driver and a good scare for another 

Mickael Leboeuf, from Salaberry-de-Valleyfield, had problems that prevented him from taking part in qualifying for the Hydro 350 class. 

Another driver in this class, Mickael Tremblay, broke into a cold sweat when his boat overturned at the 2nd buoy on the course during the second qualifying session. The swerve brought the race to a halt, but fortunately had no serious consequences for the driver. The driver, aboard the water ambulance, waved to the crowd. 

In the end, it was the Boutin Harley-Davidson boat that finished first in this category. 

There were no other incidents to spoil the fun for fans and riders alike. Over the course of the day, spectators saw two brothers from New Zealand engage in a heated battle behind the wheel of their respective boats. It was Jack Lupton who finally got the better of his brother Ken Lupton by the mark of 32.22 seconds, twenty hundredths ahead of him.

Conditions were perfect for both the spectators and the drivers of the various boats that took to the circuit. If the quality of the day's racing is anything to go by, it promises to be a thrilling weekend. 

Live results 

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