If you’re an early riser, I guarantee there’s no better sports event anywhere in the country going on this morning at 8:52am than the 61st Annual Catalina Ski Race.  At that punctual mark, 16 divisions will race from Long Beach to Catalina Island and back, starting between the Island White and Island Grissom in the LB Harbor.  The race will see competitors traveling at speeds you’d be glad to reach on an LA freeway—while, we should all remember, they’re strapped onto a thin ski, and being rocketed across the water.

A number of viewing stations will be available along the waterline, including a few hotels, and of course the world famous Queen Mary.  We’ll have some photos tomorrow as well as the story of who won.