Janson's Clothing won the 2012 Early Bird Bed Race on November 17 for the second year in a row. Watch our video of the race:

RYAN LEIGHTON/Boothbay Register

The sheets were taut, the pillows primed and racers were eager to prove their Early Bird spirit as five teams took slippers to pavement at the 3rd Annual Bed Race November 17.

The racers ran in quarter and semi-final heats featuring beds sponsored by the Opera House at Boothbay Harbor, Under Currach Tavern, McSeagulls, Janson's Clothing Store, and race newcomers, the crew of the Galileo, which is currently dry docked at Boothbay Harbor Shipyard.

The Janson's team was made up of runners Jude Alamo, Cormac Miller, Jessie Peters, Jason Maddocks, and their rider Sewall Maddocks dressed as a giant turkey. The Galileo team ran as The Starfish Enterprise, and consisted of runners James Hero, Alec Spain, Arwyn Kaiser, and Andrew Kaiser, who were accompanied by their fearless rider known only as “The Captain.”

The final race was intense as both beds burst out from the starting line. The quicker and younger Janson's team jumped out to an early lead, but due to their unpredictable steering, ended up performing the Scandinavian Flick, (a rally racing maneuver used to whip the back end of a car around a hairpin turns).
Whether the move was intentional or accidental is still unknown, but the Last Supper bed ended up back-facing-forward, temporarily blocking out the Starfish Enterprise from making any gain. Call it instinctive navigation, or just sheer luck, but Janson's team turkey Maddocks commanded the charge onward – in reverse.
Powered by Pocahontas, two pilgrims and an Indian chief, The Last Supper racked up their second victory in 3 years.

At the award ceremony, Maddocks said it was a good day for bed racing, and that his team looks forward to defending its title next year. Despite the ironic costume, Maddocks wished everybody a happy Thanksgiving holiday.

The full team results: 1st place: The Last Supper/Janson's Clothing Store (29.28 seconds), 2nd place: The Starfish Enterprise/Galileo Crew (31.00 seconds), 3rd place: The Flying Currach/ Under Carrach Tavern (32.28 sec), 4th place: Team Gull/McSeagulls (50.00 seconds), and 5th place: The Flying Cookie/The Opera House (55.41 seconds).

Note: On the morning of the race, the 2011 champions, the Spruce Point Inn, had to cancel due to a broken bed.

Click here for our photo album of shoppers from the rest of the Eary Bird Sale event.