Tate sets sights on second straight Seafair victory

SEATTLE — Andrew Tate still thinks about his special moment in Seattle as a rookie in 2016.

“We kind of surprised the world of boat racing I guess,” Tate, who grew up in Michigan, said with a smile. “It was my third race here in Seattle and we ended up winning the winner-take-all final Sunday afternoon, which was a pleasant surprise for the team and Les Schwab."

The 27-year-old invited our KIRO 7 camera on his boat to show us how it all works during the competition.

"You fly the boat with your left foot,” said Tate. “So one pedal will bring the wing up and force the boat down, and the other pedal will bring the wing down and force the boat up."

Here are a few other drivers to keep your eye on this weekend:

J. Michael Kelly, who defeated Jimmy Shane two years ago, is looking for his third win in Seattle.

"Being a local guy … this is something I've grown up my whole life watching on TV or if I wasn't watching, I was down in the pits [watching drivers get ready],” said Kelly, who lives in Bonney Lake, Wash. “A lot of family and friends are here, and this sport's huge in the Seattle area."

And while Kelly's brought home multiple Seafair championships, Shane boasts a slew of national titles.

"I think that does become somewhat of an intimidating factor for the other racers [especially just] seeing those national championships on the side of the truck,” said Shane. “It's definitely something that we use to our advantage every year."

Cox Media Group