Regatta powerboating: Weather makes winner of Rinker

Regatta powerboating: Weather makes winner of Rinker

PALMETTO -- For the second straight year, the Rinker family swept the top two spots in the Formula 2 PowerBoat race at the Bradenton Area River Regatta.

Last year it was brothers. This year, father and son.

Ashton Rinker, defending Powerboat Superleague champion, finished second behind brother, Rob Rinker, at the inaugural River Regatta in 2015 and followed it with a title Saturday at the 2016 regatta.

Rinker sat in first place at the end of qualifying.

When weather forced the finals to be canceled, he was named the champion of the second River Regatta. His father, Terry Rinker, finished second.

It was the first time the younger Rinker, a Riverview resident, finished ahead of his father.

Rain and wind pounded Manatee River throughout the day, causing choppy conditions and occasional delays.

It finally forced races to be canceled shortly before 3:30 p.m. Boats started to take on water and manatee-watch helicopters were unable to take to the skies above Bradenton and Palmetto.

Without anyone to watch for wildlife on the track, regatta officials were forced to scrap the F2 PowerBoat finals.

Earlier during the day, a race was delayed by dolphins on the course.

The regatta completed Jet Ski races before the weather cancellation. Broc Harris, a Musella, Ga., resident, repeated as the Pro Am Ski champion. Haden Skellett, an 11-year-old from Port Charlotte, finished third.

This story was originally published February 6, 2016 at 6:05 PM with the headline "Regatta powerboating: Weather makes winner of Rinker ."