Kayleigh Perkins Captures Lights Championship

Posted: 4:30 pm PDT August 2, 2009Updated: 5:41 pm PDT August 2, 2009

SEATTLE -- Black Diamond's Kayleigh Perkins and the UL-72 Foster Care/Vitamin Water team won the Unlimited Lights Final in a crowded field of eight boats and became the Unlimited Lights Hydroplane champion Sunday afternoon at Seafair.

"I can't believe I just won Seafair! I grew up watching this," she told KIRO 7's Gaard Swanson just after the victory. " This has just been the best weekend in my life."

WATCH IT: Kayleigh Perkins' Joy Of Victory

The UL-19 Interstate Batteries boat driven by Ryan Mallow was neck-neck-with Perkins but the UL-72 boat proved to be too much.

"My Foster Care boat, my Vitamin Water team really stepped up, put in the best stuff they could and gave me the opportunity of a lifetime," Perkins said. "This is huge."

It was Perkin’s fifth win in a row on the hydroplane circuit.

There was a point during the race when Perkin’s engine cowling became dislodged and many thought she wouldn’t have enough horsepower to finish the race in first place.

The UL-19 team finished second ahead of the teams UL-1, UL-14, UL-11 and UL-9 respectively.

The defending champion, UL-14 Miss Critical Logic boat driven by Paul Becker finished fourth.

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