Spectators watched the races near Library Park on Saturday. Photo by Harold LaBonte.

LAKEPORT – A group of men and women including several from the California Speedboat Association joined up with the Nor Cal Ski Club and held ski races and an exposition of classic high powered racing boats.

No one-on-one racing of the classic boats took place but many of them, including several past national champions, enjoyed making multiple high-speed passes in front of Library Park, entertaining not only the other boat owners but about a 100 others gathered around the Yacht Club in Lakeport Saturday.

The mix of modern high speed ski races with classic race boats had been a casual idea at first, with event organizers hoping for 10 to 12 of the special boats attending.

The boat owners that brought their rare vessels were surprised and pleased as 31 of these frequently custom built boats arrived from as far away as Seattle to the north and San Diego to the south, along with two or more from Nevada, according to Robert Silva of Fort Bragg, the event organizer.

The two groups were so pleased with the results they plan on coordinating again next April when the Nor Cal Ski Club will hold their next speed ski event.

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Racers came from around the state, Nevada and Washington for the races. Photo by Harold LaBonte.