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Regatta Fest 2024 Delivers Exciting Weekend

By Chuck Clegg - Staff Writer | Oct 9, 2024

RegattaFest SST 120 Winner Jake Alkema with Queen Ally Vintorini.

NEW MARTINSVILLE — With the prospect of foul weather from Hurricane Helene, the organizers of the late September racing event, Sharon and Sam Winer must have held their breath as the weekend approached along with dark clouds and the threat of severe storms. Fortunately, Mother Nature gave us little more than clouds over the long standing racing event.

Friday began with boats attempting to set new world records on the historical fast Ohio River course. New Martinsville began the weekend with 96 world speed records over the freshwater course. In the world of powerboat racing this particular local venue is legendary for fast water and exciting speed attempts. For the race teams and spectators the waters of the Ohio held true and didn’t disappoint as eight new world records were set giving New Martinsville 104 standing records. During the event two boats flipped at speeds attempting record runs. Drivers Amy Nydhl and Kori Ladd were in the drivers seats but neither were uninjured and the weekend saw no other serious incidents. Both drivers however got back in boats and ended with new speed records.

Records will need final certification in order to be placed in the books.

Friday’s quarter mile world records were achieved by Tyler Peterson, of Stacy, MN in the OPC Category ,VP-75 Class with a speed of 63.71 mph.

In the Pro Category, Jerzee Holman, of Clio, MI in the 500 ccH Class, upped the record with a speed of 90.02 mph., Holman also broke the 500ccR record with a speed of 89.95 mph, the 250 ccR Class at 75.84 mph, and THE 1100 ccH at 106.47 mph.

In the stock category Kori Ladd, of Valparaiso, Indiana set the record in the 20ssH Class- 71.70 mph (Kori is just 17 years old).

Amy Nydahl, of Peoria, IL set records in the 250ccH Class with a 83.37 mph, and in the 350ccH Class at 104.58 mph.

These records keep the New Martinsville site as the best, fast water course in the United States, with more records than any other location worldwide.

The total entries, from six states including California, and Ontario, Canada totaled 27. Drivers appearing more than once in the top three, raced different boats in separate classes.

Saturday the day began with craft vendors and a car show on Main Street. The street was lined with polished cars and their owners. Spectators spoke with the owners and purchased handmade crafts from vendors set up in the Marne Post 28 Parking lot.

Racers and supporters of the weekend’s event were guests of dinner Saturday night hosted by the Wetzel County Chamber of Commerce and the racing organizers. One-hundred and twenty guests took part in the dinner. Total estimated attendance for the weekend was 2,300.

Since racing began in 1938, the waters alongside New Martinsville have been good to boaters for fast racing and record speeds. That same water can be challenging for boats with changing winds and weather conditions. These factors are the reason racers return year after year along with the thousands that enjoy the excitement of the event.

At one time racing was held in nearly every town along the Ohio River. With the passing of time the location of boat races has diminished. If it were not for the citizens, businesses, local government and race supporters, the New Martinsville event may have long ago passed into history.

Saturday’s spectators saw two heat races for each class of boats. Their finish in those races determined the starting position from a standing start at the dock on Sunday.

120 Class: 1st Place #47 – Jake Alkema, from Commerce Township, MI. 2nd Place #34 – Jeff Reno, of Okeechobee, Florida. 3rd Place #24 – Jonah Gilbertson, of Forest Lake, MN. Class 60 :1st Place #19 – Bill Metez, of Fargo, ND. 2nd Place #1 – Jonah Gilbertson, and 3rd Place #42 – Josh Baker, of St. Paul, MN

Class VP 75: 1st Place #14 Tyler Peterson. 2nd Place #1 – Josh Baker. 3rd Place Andy Wacnolz

Class 200: 1st Place #59 Tyler Welch, Wyzata, MN. 2nd #93 RJ West, Manteca, CA. 3rd # 71 Jimmy Kerr, LePeer, MI

The 2024 New Martinsville Regatta Fest was a complete success. Plans for next years event are already underway, with bigger and better things expected.