Belle of Louisville wins 50th anniversary Great Steamboat Race - 14 News, WFIE, Evansville, Henderson, Owensboro

Belle of Louisville wins 50th anniversary Great Steamboat Race

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Air 3 hovered above the Great Steamboat Race. Air 3 hovered above the Great Steamboat Race.
Another angle of the three boats competing in the race. Another angle of the three boats competing in the race.
From left to right: the Belle of Louisville, the American Queen, the Belle of Cincinnati From left to right: the Belle of Louisville, the American Queen, the Belle of Cincinnati
The Belle of Louisville The Belle of Louisville

LOUISVILLE, KY (WAVE) – The Belle of Louisville accumulated 134 points from a series of nine tasks to win the 2012 Kentucky Derby Festival Great Steamboat Race on Wednesday.

This was the 50th year for the competition.

The Belle of Louisville competed against the Belle of Cincinnati, which came in second with 105 points, and the American Queen, which finished with 90 points.

Here is a list of the nine tasks and the number of points each boat was awarded upon completing the tasks:

  • Task No. 1: Jousting inflatable – All three vessel were awarded five points
  • Task No. 2: Obstacle inflatable course – Belle of Cincinnati 10 points, Belle of Louisville 5 points
  • Task No. 3: Handy line toss – American Queen 10 points, Belle of Louisville 5 points
  • Task No. 4: Monkey fist toss – Belle of Cincinnati 10 points, Belle of Louisville 5 points
  • Task No. 5: Calliope contest – Belle of Louisville 10 points, Belle of Cincinnati 5 points
  • Task No. 6: Buoy flag retrieval – All three vessels were awarded 25 points
  • Task No. 7: VIP retrieval – All three vessels were awarded 25 points
  • Task No. 8: Bourbon barrel retrieval – All three vessels were awarded 25 points
  • Task No. 9: Boat race finish – Belle of Louisville was awarded 29 points

The Belle of Louisville was awarded a set of silver-plated antlers that is traditionally given to the winning vessel. The Awards Ceremony took place immediately following the race at the Chow Wagon.

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