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Austin Hayes, 22, of Michigan, won the 2025 Governor's Cup.
CELINA - Though delayed for a day due to wind, the Governor's Cup Regatta was a hit with both visitors and locals on Sunday.
The hydroplane races, put on by Veterans Forever Inc., featured around 40 drivers from all over the tri-state area of Ohio, Michigan and Indiana, and some from even farther away. License plates of drivers and spectators could be seen throughout town all weekend from as far away as Washington and Quebec.
"Even with the hot weather and the wind, it was a very good turnout," organizer Craig Obringer said after the races wrapped up. "Overall, as the committee, we just finished cleaning up, (and) all the committee members considered a successful weekend."
The races attracted spectators nearby and far away, some traveling from the West Coast.
Bill Applegate of St. Marys and friend Georgia Richards of North Carolina stopped by Grand Lake's shores to check out the races on Sunday afternoon.
"I think it's fantastic. We just got here a little while ago, so we saw them as we were pulling in," Richards said. "It's fantastic."
Applegate and Richards agreed there should be more recreation and events in and around Grand Lake.
"I don't even live here, and I'll say that," Richards said. "I think anything that it brings the community out together for a good time. I think it's important."
Michigander Austin Hayes, 22, took home the 2025 Governor's Cup in a 2.5 litre modified boat. Which, organizer Rich McNaughton said was pretty cool as his brother and cousin have also won the cup in the past.
Hayes drives with TKO Racing. Other TKO drivers that took home the Governor's Cup in years past are Brandon Kennedy in 2008 and Bobby Kennedy in 2015.
Next year at around the same time of the year, Obringer said Grand Lake will host the Eastern Divisional Title race by the American Power Boat Association of Springfield.
"That event is going to be three times the size as it was this time," Obringer said. "We have a lot of bugs to work out on our end (in the meantime). We had issues with people trying to get in the hot pits. We have to fix all that. But, overall, we're going to say it was a very successful event."
Dennis Wright with S2 Hydroplane Racing of Indiana shown neck-and-neck with Matt Sontag with Sontag Racing of Indiana during a race on Sunday.
Cranes were used to life hydroplanes onto Grand Lake.
A young spectator waves the checkered flag as drivers cross the finish line on Grand Lake.
Matt Sontag with Sontag Racing of Indiana races during the 2025 Governor's Cup on Sunday.
A hydroplane boat sprays a roostertail as it passes by the Grand Lake shore on Sunday.
Fans found the best places around the lake to watch the races.
