- September 18, 2024
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Team Defalco of Bronx, New York, with Billy Moore and Mike Falco, speeds by the shores of Lido Beach.
Photo by Ian SwabyJackhammer of Springfield, Illinois, with Reese Langheim and Julian Maldonado, prepares to go head-to-head with Hammerheads / Fly SRQ of Bradenton.
Photo by Ian Swaby651 Ivey Racing / Dees Nuts / Fl Yacht Support of Stuart, Florida, with George Ivey and Mike Sadlon, makes its way along the course.
Photo by Ian SwabySpeed Marine of Brick, New Jersey, with Kyle Miller and Jay Wohltman, makes a leap from the water.
Photo by Ian SwabyEl Bandidio Tequila / Sunprint of New Port Richey, Florida with Steven Fehrmann and Steve Miklos, passes by a boat of P1 Offshore staff.
Photo by Ian SwabyAndrogenix Advanced Health and Wellness Center of North Palm Beach, Florida, with Pete Riveiro and Chris Uzzolina, undergoes a wipeout.
Photo by Ian SwabyAndrogenix Advanced Health and Wellness Center of North Palm Beach, Florida, with Chris Uzzolina and Pete Riveiro, prepares to be towed to shore, after experiencing a wipeout.
Photo by Ian SwabyMonster Energy / M CON of Wathena, Kansas with Myrick Coil and Tyler Miller, speeds along the course as a helicopter makes a pass.
Photo by Ian SwabyDirty Money Racing / Powerhouse Recycling of Stuart, Florida, with Brit Lilly and Bill Pyburn, glides over the water.
Photo by Ian SwabyTunnelVision of Pasadena, Maryland with Michael Mccolgan and Rob Bryant; XINSURANCE of Niles, Michigan with Brit Lilly and Randy Kent; and YabbaDabbaDoo of Reddick, Florida with JD Ivines and Steve Adams line up at the start of a race.
Photo by Ian SwabyA P1 offshore staff member heads across the waves.
Photo by Ian SwabyBronx Phantom / Bronx Phantom Marker 1 Marine SRQ of Sarasota, with Vincent Winoski and Rob Winoski, is on the tail of TunnelVision of Pasadena, Maryland, with Michael Mccolgan and Rob Bryant.
Photo by Ian SwabyYabbaDabbaDoo of Reddick, Florida, with JD Ivines and Steve Adams, makes a leap from the water.
Photo by Ian SwabyTunnel Vision of Pasadena, Maryland, with Michael Mccolgan and Rob Bryant, approaches a buoy on the course.
Photo by Ian SwabyA helicopter makes a pass overhead.
Photo by Ian SwabyBoatfloater.com of Sarasota, piloted by father and son team Steve Kildahl and Stephen Kildahl of the Sarasota team Scott Free Racing, makes a turn on the course.
Photo by Ian SwabyStephen Kildahl, who grew up in Sarasota, has been racing since age 16 with his father Steve Kildahl.
Photo by Ian SwabyThis year's Sarasota Powerboat Grand Prix by P1 Offshore marked the event's 40th year, and the race, held Sept. 14-15, showcased some dedicated participants.
Steve Kildahl of Sarasota has been in all 40 races, while his 33-year-old son Stephen Kildahl has been racing since age 16.
Although Stephen Kildahl now lives in Fort Myers, the father and son still enjoy racing together through their family-operated team Scott Free Racing.
"It's just been a part of my life forever, and we do it as a family. Our whole crew is a family, and it's just an exciting sport," Stephen Kildahl said Sept. 16. "You're going fast on the water, tt's thrilling, and the competition's tough. I'm a big motor sports fan, so I enjoy doing it."
With about 60 competitors coming from Florida and beyond, the race is the second longest-running U.S. powerboat race after the Key West Championship.
On Sept. 15, boaters were dealing with conditions Stephen Kildahl said were challenging and "pretty bumpy" compared to what is typical in Sarasota.
Their Boatfloater.com Mod V boat also saw its carburetor flood, although they were able to get it restarted.
Amid the challenges of racing, the team's family dynamic keeps them working together.
"Being a father and son, we have that trust factor," Stephen Kildahl said. "So there's a lot of times we don't need to communicate. We just know what each other needs to do."
