Patience paid off on Sunday at the Madison Regatta as determination from organizers, city officials, volunteers, race teams, and fans ensured the 2026 APBA Gold Cup would crown a deserving champion.
Following an extended delay while crews worked tirelessly to clear debris from the Ohio River upstream of the bridge, the Madison Regatta organizing committee, alongside the City of Madison, made the decision to keep the race course open longer than originally scheduled. Their efforts allowed two additional qualifying heats to be completed, giving every team the opportunity to race the mandatory three qualifying heats required to determine the five-boat Gold Cup Final field.
The final lineup featured four qualified boats and one trailer boat:
- Jimmy Shane – U-27 Miss Apollo
- Corey Peabody – U-3 Tahoe Miss
- J. Michael Kelly – U-00 Maverick
- Andrew Tate – U-1 BWR Racing
- Brandon Kennedy – U-6 Royer Miss Madison (Trailer)
When the final went green, Jimmy Shane delivered a flawless performance aboard the U-27 Miss Apollo to capture the 116th APBA Gold Cup in his return to H1 Unlimited competition after a four-year absence. The victory marks the sixth Gold Cup title of Shane’s remarkable career, further cementing his place among the greatest drivers in the history of the sport.
Corey Peabody capped off an impressive weekend with a strong runner-up finish, while J. Michael Kelly completed the podium in third. Andrew Tate crossed the finish line in second place but received a bearing out penalty, moving him to fifth in the official results. The U-6 Royer Miss Madison finished sixth as the trailer boat.
Official Final Results
- U-27 Miss Apollo – Jimmy Shane
- U-3 Tahoe Miss – Corey Peabody
- U-00 Maverick – J. Michael Kelly
- U-6 Royer Miss Madison (Trailer)
- U-1 Miss BWR Racing – Andrew Tate (bearing out penalty)
H1 Unlimited extends its sincere appreciation to the Madison Regatta organizing committee, the City of Madison, the dedicated volunteers, and the thousands of loyal fans whose patience and support made it possible to complete one of the most prestigious events in hydroplane racing despite challenging conditions. Their commitment ensured that every competitor had a fair opportunity to earn a place in the Gold Cup Final and that another memorable chapter was written in the storied history of the APBA Gold Cup.
H1 Unlimited now turns its attention to the next stop on the 2026 championship tour in Tri-Cities, Washington, where the season continues in just a few weeks.
Fans can follow H1 Unlimited throughout the weekend on social media and watch live coverage online at youtube.com/h1unlimited.