Press Release

TOM ABRAMS SPEEDS THROUGH
NEW YORK CITY POWERBOAT POKER RUN AT 172 MPH

STATEN ISLAND'S
SAL SCIANDRA WINS POKER RUN

NEW YORK, NY --- Tom Abrams of Northville (Detroit) Michigan won this year's "King of the Hudson" title in the 2001 New York City Powerboat Poker Run Race on the Hudson River earlier today (Saturday, June 16, 2001).

Abrams, driving his 46-foot Skater, took honors in the Catamaran Class, covering the 14.5-mile distance between the George Washington Bridge and the Tappan Zee Bridge in 5 minutes and 4.8 seconds (172 mph).

Bob Russell of Seattle, Washington took honors in the V-bottom category (147 MPH, 42 foot Outer Limits). 152 entrants competed in the fifth annual event, produced by the National Powerboat Association.

Sal Sciandra of Staten Island, New York won the $5,000.00 Poker Run Crown for best hand (flush) in the 75-mile event with 2 stops up and down the Hudson River starting and finishing near the Surfside 3 Marina in Chelsea Piers (23rd St. & the Hudson River).