Scott Free Racing Battles Tough Conditions at Englewood Beach Waterfest
October 13, 20262026 Race Recap | Englewood Beach, Florida
The Scott Free Racing team returned to Florida's Gulf Coast this past weekend for the highly anticipated Englewood Beach Waterfest. What was expected to be an action packed weekend of offshore powerboat racing quickly turned into a battle against Mother Nature, as a passing hurricane in the Gulf of America brought challenging weather conditions and significant changes to the event schedule.
A Stormy Start to the Weekend
The weekend got off to a slow start as unfavorable conditions from the passing hurricane forced organizers to cancel the first two days of on-water activities. With safety remaining the top priority for competitors and officials, teams were left waiting for an opportunity to get back on the water.
Despite the weather disruptions, the excitement surrounding Englewood Beach Waterfest never faded. Friday night's block party brought out an incredible crowd of passionate offshore racing fans eager to meet the teams, see the race boats up close, and experience the atmosphere that makes this event such a special stop on the circuit.
For Scott Free Racing, the evening provided another great opportunity to connect with fans and showcase the team. The strong turnout was a testament to the enthusiasm and dedication of the offshore racing community, even when Mother Nature refused to cooperate.
Race Day: A Tough Battle on the Gulf
By Sunday morning, the storm had moved through the area and conditions in the Gulf had improved enough for racing to get underway. However, the lingering effects of the weather left competitors facing a challenging racecourse that would test both equipment and crews.
For Scott Free Racing, it was a difficult day from the start. The team struggled to find the pace needed to challenge the front of the Mod V field, ultimately crossing the finish line in 5th place.
While the result wasn't what the team had hoped for, getting the boat through the challenging conditions and completing the race provided valuable information as the season approaches its conclusion.
"Obviously, fifth place isn't where we want to be, especially this late in the season," said driver Stephen Kildahl. "We just didn't have the pace we needed to run with the leaders. The conditions were challenging for everyone, but that's part of offshore racing. We've got some work to do before Key West, and everyone on this team is focused on making sure we show up ready to fight for a World Championship."
All Eyes on the World Championship
With Englewood Beach Waterfest now behind us, Scott Free Racing turns its full attention to the biggest event of the season: the Offshore World Championships in Key West, Florida.
The final event of the year will bring together some of the toughest competition in offshore powerboat racing, with teams battling for the opportunity to be crowned World Champions.
Coming off a difficult weekend in Englewood, the team knows there is work to be done. Over the coming weeks, the focus will be on evaluating the boat's performance, refining the setup, and finding the additional speed needed to compete at the front of the field.
The goal remains unchanged: arrive in Key West prepared, competitive, and ready to leave everything on the water.
