Boaters gather in Ocean City for annual Grand Prix

OCEAN CITY, Md. – Boating fanatics from across the country made their way to Worcester County, for the annual Ocean City Grand Prix.

It’s a tradition that boater, Brit Lilly, has been participating in for 13 years.
Each year, Lilly brings his vessel up from Florida to race it alongside other competitive boaters.

“It’s been great getting better every race and [I’ve] been moving up in the ranks of all the different classes,” Lilly said. “[I’m] just happy to be in Super Cat now, especially to be in my hometown of Ocean City Maryland.”

Local restaurant owner, Phil Houck, and his friend, Anthony Smith, compete together every year. The duo said there’s a sense of camaraderie amongst all the guys.

“We’re all best friends while we’re all on land, but as soon as we’re out on the water, we kill each other out there,” Smith said. “But before that, let’s say he needed a part, one of the other boaters would give him that part if they had it. That’s how they help each other,” Houck added.

With a US championship on everyone’s mind, Lilly said he’d push his boat to the limit, to try to secure that title.

“At the end of the year, whoever has the most points gets to wear that number one on their boat for the next season. That’s what we’re here for,” Lilly said.