STAY CONNECTED: Have the stories that matter most delivered every night to your email inbox. Subscribe to our daily local news wrap.
Tubber Justin Lofstrom with Loyal Nanaimo Bathtub Society commodore Greg Peacock after Loftstrom triumphantly rang the finish bell. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)
bathtubs

Tubbers sail across smooth waters for 2019 World Championship Bathtub Race

Jul 21, 2019 | 6:56 AM

NANAIMO — Calm waters and minimal winds made for one of the fastest bathtub races in recent memory.

Racer Justin Lofstrom started strong and remained in the lead for the entire race from Maffeo Sutton Park, along the coast line and back.

Justin Loftstrom raced hard so he didn’t have to run up along the beach to the finishing bell. The second-place racer was roughly two minutes behind him. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)

He completed the course in just under one hour and three minutes.

For his 12th race of his career, Lofstrom said it was all about keeping his head down and his throttle up.

“Don’t run out of fuel and don’t break,” was all he was thinking when on the water.

He raced a motor he built three years ago and has continually tweaked ever since.

Even with a win under his belt, he said he’s already gearing up to be faster next year.

Several minutes elapsed between Loftstrom and Trevor Short, who came in second, barely edging out Brandon Leigh.

Each tubber praised the calm waters along the Nanaimo coast for their incredibly fast times.

spencer@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @spencer_sterrit