Mission: 63rd Catalina Ski Race

The 63rd Annual Catalina Water Ski Race, brought you by Parker Oil

2011 Catalina Water Ski Race Winners
There is no end to the generosity of people, towards America’s Hero’s.
A special thanks goes out to Lori Dunsmore, Kenny Vaughan and John Bohles. Without their help, V2V would not have been able to put everything together and grant the wishes of our three Vets.

On July 16th 2011, V2V set up participation in this year’s event for two veterans. We granted the wish of one veteran last year and we were all set to grant the wishes of two American Hero’s this year.

During the Owners/Drivers meeting, held on Thursday evening, we found that wasn’t going to sit well with the other event participants. Mike Avila (last years champion) insisted on finding our V2V Ambassador, Ryan Price, a seat in a boat for this year’s race. Ryan, who rode in the event last year, was there to help this year’s veterans through the race. He was given a seat in the # 76 boat. The boat, called the Patriot, was racing with one of the Women’s Open Skiers. They made a seat for Ryan and granted his wish from last year again. Three Veterans. Three Teams. Three Wishes. Four Skiers.

Our veteran riders this year were Ashleigh Martel (Veteran US Army OIF/OEF), riding in the Trinity Motors Boat #9 with driver Kenny Vaughan, navigator Mike Lee and Skier Sarah Teelow.

We also had Wesley Barrientos (Veteran US Army OIF Wounded in Iraq), riding in Boat #70 with driver Darrell Nottke, navigator and observer Lauren Dunsmore and Gene Weston, and Skiers Lori Dunsmore and John Kompaniez.

Ryan Price (Veteran US Army OIF/OEF Wounded in Afghanistan), in the Patriot Boat #76, was with Chelbe Kinslow behind driver Chuck Hoster, navigator and observer Darren Reilley and Chuck Goacher.

The race left the starting line by the Queen Mary and headed to Avalon at Catalina Island. With water skiers in tow, they returned to the finish line at the Maya Hotel by the Queen Mary. The overall fastest boat broke the previous record by 6 seconds, with a time of 50 minutes and 13.9 seconds.

They were on the ride of their lives with 67 Ocean Race Boats, 2 Helicopters, speeds up to 90 MPH and swells as big as 9 FEET. The boats started 30 plus wide in 2 flights and battle it out in different classes to Catalina and back. This is over an hour of intense racing covering 63 miles of Open Ocean.

All of our Veterans went out together, in the second flight, and over the next hour and fifteen minutes raced out to the Avalon Bay and back. They crossed the 63 miles on water and managed to cross the finish line, one right after the other. The boats they were teamed with in their respective class.

Wesley was in the boat pulling a Mixed Doubles Team, which came in first place.

Ashleigh was in a boat with Sarah entered in the Intermediate Women’s class and came in second.
Ryan was in the boat in front of Chelbe Kinslow, in the Women’s Open class, came in second as well.
There wasn’t a dry eye in the place when these American Hero’s came to the stage for their trophies. Wesley and Ashleigh were both given standing ovations. When it came Ryan’s turn, he was picked up and carried on to the stage by our good friend Jeremy Staat (TheJeremyStaatFoundation). The love that the race community showed the Soldiers that had given so much was overwhelming.

Near the end of the closing ceremonies, there was an auction to help raise money for the Long Beach Boat and Ski Club. They auctioned off a ski vest and helmet that had both been signed by the kids that had come to the Kid’s Day on Friday. The bidding started and quickly crossed the $1000 mark as the boat owners and racers stepped up to support the cause. Bidding slowed down and went to two people that really wanted to give a gift. At the end, the final bid was $2000. It was a great fundraiser for the Club.

When all was settled up, the winning bidder, Wayne Murray stepped up on the stage and put the helmet on Ryan. He was invited back to wear it in next years race.

It was a great day in Long Beach and we are grateful to the Long Beach Boat and Ski Club for letting us take part again this year. We look forward to it again next year.