Pounding foundation stakes in Skagway may have given him the edge in the Fourth of July spike-driving competition, carpenter Manual Rogers of Haines said this week.
Rogers, who is helping build Skagway’s new public safety building, won the competition on the afternoon’s very last spike, driving it in 5.4 seconds.
Winning, Rogers said, requires hitting the spike solidly every time. “I just got lucky.”
Visitor Megan Prawdzik led women competitors in the event with a time of 15.65 seconds. In youth nail-pounding, boys were led by 14-year-old visitor Derrick Deuling 2.82 seconds; Jordan Verhamme of Haines won among girls, 3.25 seconds.
Chandler Kemp successfully defended his crown in the Mount Ripinsky Run, completing the cliffside scramble in 24:55, more than a minute faster than second-place Marcus Deuling (26:12). Mac Prawdzik, 29:23, was third. Top women’s finishers were: 1) Natalie Hynes (33:02), 2) Wesley Burleson (44:30) and 3) Marina Evers (56:32).
The race drew 31 competitors. Residents Ralph Borders and Vince Hansen shared top spot for runners over 49, tying for 12th place in 37:42.
The annual Fourth of July parade also drew 31 entries. Judges rated entries for overall appearance, originality and adherence to the parade theme, “Stars and Stripes Forever.” Awards of $50 were made in each of four categories: Musical/Dancing – Chilkat Dancers; Bikes – Allan Jobbins; Theme Interpretation – American Legion/veterans, and Best Use of Recycled Products – “Boondoggle” by Concerned Citizens.
In the Mad Raft Race, a team of Coleman Standford, Ted Hart and Dylan Beckish topped the defending champion raft manned by Mori Hays, Ketch Jacobson, Marty Fowler and Carver Culbeck.
The raft of race veteran Kevin Shove finished third, with Shove, Robert Jennings, Matthew Green and Andrew Duddles aboard. Five rafts participated.
That One Team won the mud volleyball crown. Team members included Nicole Stickler, Brandy Peters, Sam Clay, Daniel Klanott, Tyrell Horton, Forest Podsiki, and Liz Segars.