Skater At 50—Peter Hledin Gets Close To Winning
As anyone who’s ever been lucky enough to be invited can tell you, Rick and Katheryn Theisen throw one hell of a party during the Key West Offshore Word Championships. They book the same third-story, corner suite at the Pier House Resort and Spa every year. The guest lists includes everyone from friends of friends to event organizers and offshore racing team members not pulling active duty. Food and drink flow freely, literally and figuratively, on every race day. All the Theisens ask of their guests is that they tip the server who keeps it all moving.
A ferocious WHM Motorsports team fan, Rick Theisen hosted the man who built the Super Cat-class outfit’s raceboats for the first time during his Sunday watch party in Key West. Photo by Matt Trulio.
Invited by Fort Myers Offshore and Roar Offshore Fort Myers Beach leader Tim Hill, Skater Powerboats founder Peter Hledin and his son, Michael, entered the suite just after Sunday’s 450R Factory Stock and Super V races had begun. They were joined by Skater national sales manager Tony Cutsuries and Craig Ellis of Appearance Products, which handles most Skater interiors.
The Theisen’s suite is rarely quiet during race week, but when Hledin walked in the place went silent, at least for a moment. Most of the people in the room recognized him, but few had met him.
And no one knew he was coming.
Despite being a little embarrassed over the attention, Hledin was beyond gracious. He answered questions kindly and patiently. He even posed for pictures, including one with host Rick Theisen.
While Peter Hledin was watching from above at the Pier House, one of his creations was winning a world championship. Photo by Pete Boden copyright Shoot 2 Thrill Pix.
Five minutes later, he had melded with the crowd and was watching one of his own boats—the Super V-class Race Winning Brands Skater 399—ripping through Key West Harbor and into the Mallory Square. He stayed for the Super Cat race, of course, where most boats in the fleet were of his own creation. That includes the 38-footer campaigned by the Dirty Money team, which went on to take the world title with victories on Friday and Sunday.
Hledin has caught more races in Key West than he can remember. But until last Sunday, he had never watched one from Suite 810 at the Pier House. And, of course, he got to watch one of his boats win.
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