Tyler McGinnis of Gold Beach looked like the winner of the 55th running of the Boatnik hydroplane race on Monday, when he finished first in all four legs on the Rogue River.

But because of a snarled start, that is in question.

Race organizer Larry Darneille said this morning race officials are reviewing footage today to determine the winner.

“We had boats who couldn’t make it to the starting line, through no fault of their own,” Darneille said. “The results are not final.”

McGinnis, last year’s winner, got out to a comfortable lead during the first leg out to Robertson Bridge, and didn’t look back from there. Even with the sizeable lead, the unpredictability of the Rogue River helped keep McGinnis level-headed.

“There is always doubt,” said McGinnis of chances after leg one. “You never really know what can happen out there. There was the wind and it’s pretty easy to crash, so things can happen in a hurry.”

Coming into the race, many felt the low water level would play a factor in racers’ plans because of visible sand bars and other protruding obstacles.

McGinnis was unfazed by such physical challenges and continued to run his race.

“The conditions on the river were great,” McGinnis said. “It made for a real fast race for sure. The wind was a little tricky at times, but I managed.”

McGinnis continued to roll to second and third leg victories, before turning it on in the final leg.

The 2013 Cal-Ore U.S. Champion put space between him and apparent second-place finisher Jeff Lewis as the racers reached Griffin Park during the third leg.

McGinnis came down the final stretch to Riverside Park with no other boats in sight behind him.

“He did very well,” said Lewis, speaking of McGinnis. “You never know until the end how it will turn out, but it was a good race and we finally had a good field of boats.”

Unofficially, Lewis was second and Mike Friesen third.

With a strong field headed by Lewis behind him, McGinnis had all the incentive he needed to get ahead and stay there.

“Lewis was back there pushing me the whole time,” McGinnis said. “Besides Jeff, we have a lot of new participants that are mechanically inclined. Just all great people to have in the club.”

Lewis, the all-time leader for Boatnik wins, was far from discouraged with taking second.

“It all went fine,” Lewis said. “I didn’t win it, but I came back in one piece and that’s all that really matters.”

Lewis said the mixup at the beginning of the opening leg doomed his chances.

While most drivers were prepared for the start, Lewis was caught by surprise.

“The start was kind of screwed up,” Lewis said. “I thought they were going to hold up until a boat came back down the back, but then I heard somebody start their boat and I said, ‘Oh my gosh the race is going.’

“It was just a jumbled start, but we made up time the best we could down below.”