The Belle of Louisville Wins 2011 Great Steamboat Race
The 2011 Great Steamboat Race, postponed in May due to dangerously high water levels on the Ohio River, went off without a hitch Wednesday, June 29. The Belle of Louisville squared off against the Belle of Cincinnati in an epic battle both for bragging rights and the coveted Silver Antlers, which are awarded to the winner of each year's race.
The 2011 Great Steamboat Race took an interesting turn when it was announced in April that each boat would festoon itself Louisville Cardinal red or Kentucky Wildcat blue, deepening the rivalry both between the Belles and the two universities. The Belle of Cincinnati was christened "The Belle of Kentucky" for a day, becoming a haven for the Big Blue Nation, while Louisville Cardinals fans packed the Belle of Louisville to capacity.
The Great Steamboat Race competition began on land, with crews from each boat competing in a variety of challenges. Crew members battled each other on jousting platforms, raced one another on an inflatable obstacle course, and played each boats' calliope steam organ to earn enough points to be declared winner.
Once out on the river, both Belles needed to capture flags floating freely on the Ohio River, make a stop on the banks to pick up both a barrel of Four Roses bourbon and their respective college mascot, then turn around and race for the finish line. Sneaky tactics were employed by each boats' crew, including the Belle of Kentucky's theft of the Belle of Louisville's flag, but in the end the Belle of Louisville was declared the victor by a tight margin of 61.5 points to 55 for the Belle of Kentucky.
The Great Steamboat Race had been postponed only three times in its storied history, and cancelled only once in 1967 due to high water on the Ohio River.
Posted on Jul 1, 2011 by Matt Stottmann
