Great Tug Boat Race - Sault Ste Marie 2003

Tugs large and small from around the region competed by class, with spectators lining both sides of the St. Marys River to witness the event.

An estimated $25,000 was raised from the tugboat race to assist children with special needs.

This year, approximately 30 tugs, including entries from Parry Sound, Schreiber and even the Duluth area took part in the competition, which was preceded the night before by a tug parade through the Soo Locks.

Onboard the tug Reliance. Andy LaBorde
200 to 500 horsepower class race	Tug Kam	Reliance leaves the competition in its wake	Avenger IV and Scott Purvis at the start of the race.
William C. Gaynor and Owen M. Frederick.	Reliance at the dock before the race.

Pictures below by Roger LeLievre and N. Schultheiss
Boomalong surfs the wake
Pankhurst M.	Regan	Deschenes	Mink Isle
Kam
Reliance heads for the finish line.			Wilfred M. Cohen and WM. Scott Purvis
Scott Purvis on parade lap.	Reliance and Owen M. Frederick.	Close up.	Coast Guard keeps small boats at a distance.
Avenger IV and William C. Gaynor.	Avenger and Reliance.		Stern view.
Scott Purvis.	Renesue	Shelia P.	Martin E. Johnson.
Capt'N-Kate	Queensville		Pankhurst M.
Kelsey T.		Joyce B. Gardiner	Judy
Capt'N-Kate	Scottish Thistle	Geri Ann	William C. Gaynor docked after the race.
Kelsee Rae	Bonnyville

200 to 500 horsepower class race		Renesue and Deschenes	Grandbanks II
Mink Isle	Earl W. Oglebay escorted through the course.	Judy	Red Griffon
Red Griffon	Red Griffon	U.S. Coast Guard on patrol.	USCG RHI.

Friday night Tug Parade
Tugs enter the MacArthur Lock. R. Lelievre	Lining up. George Gormly	Locking through. John Meyland	Close up of Reliance. R. LeLievre
Another view. George Gormly	Locking back down. Dave Wobser		Plenty of room.
Owen M. Fredrick. R. LeLievre,	Below the locks. John Meyland	Tugs take over the marina. Jerry Masson

2003 Great Tugboat Race Results
Gator Class	1st - Cobra - Soo, Ont. 2nd - New Billy - Soo, Ont. 3rd - Channel Brat - Gore Bay, Ont.	200 to 500 horsepower	1st - Decelles - Soo, Ont. 2nd - Mink Isle - Parry Sound 3rd - Regan - Soo, Ont.
Hobby Class	1st - Red Griffin 2nd - Geri Ann - Two Harbors Minn	500-plus horsepower	1st - Reliance Soo, Ont. 2nd - William C. Gaynor - Soo, Mi. 3rd - Joyce B Gardiner Soo, Ont.
Fish Tugs	1st - Kelsey T - Blind River 2nd- Capt'n Kate - Nanicoke, Ont. 3rd - Dollar Boat - Point Aux Barils	Captain’s Challenge	Renesue
0 to 200 horsepower	1st - Renesue - Soo, Ont. 2nd - Bonnyville - Soo, Ont. 3rd - Queensville - Soo, Ont.	Best-dressed Tug	1st - Renesue 2nd - Steel Aweigh 3rd - Opeongo