All of us here at EverPresent are passionate about a lot of things. History, art and preserving memories are at the top of the list, but we are especially passionate about our clients. Oftentimes the photos and videos you see on our website and social media sites are materials that our team really loves and our clients have allowed us to share.
More than just a race
Nearly 300 outboard pilots queued up to for the race in 1950, including our clients relative who’s name we know to be Pete. This race was about speed, crossing the finishing line first and bragging rights. The New York Times called it “one of Sportdom’s most amazing spectacles” in the May 28, 1950 edition of their Sunday paper.
In the water dozens of outboard racers, shined, numbered and fueled, line the docks as their pilots and pit crews do their final checks before the start of the race. Not every racer makes it to the finish line. In 1951, only 128 of it’s 205 boats made it to New York City. Between engine failures, the pounding of the Hudson and even crashes, these pilots had to be prepared. 40 m.p.h 136 miles down the Hudson was considered an amazing and dangerous speed and not many were up for it. Katherine Grippin of Saratoga Springs was the first female contestant in 1936.
“There was a stiff wind blowing upstream and the waves became larger and larger. To me they seemed almost mountainous. Back in Ohio…the biggest waves were never over a foot high, but this was something different. Riding on your knees in a 100-pound hull, you would sail off the crest of a big wave and slam bang against the next one so hard you felt you were going through the bottom, aside from breaking every bone in your body…a quick investigation revealed that one knee did go through the floorboard in spite of the thick padding.”
The last race was held in the 1960’s but if you do a Google search for the Albany to New York Outboard Marathon you will find a rich trail of forums, magazine articles and newspaper clippings lauding this fantastic event and the river culture of the area. There is even a fascinating video of the 1949 race you can view on youtube here.
“When you looked over the majestic Hudson and you seemed to sense a powerful force mocking your human effort conquer it, but holding forth a tantalizing challenge to come back and try again another year.”
As EverPresent expands into New York and the Hudson Valley region it was a pleasure to learn more about its rich history that was brought to our attention from a handful of slides. It is the power of our memories and of our history that makes their preservation so important. To learn more about EverPresent and our services, visit us here.
