Evening star., 1932-09-03
SCORES OVER DON
BY A GREAT FINISH
Briton Leads for Four Laps,
Then Yank Cuts Loose
to Win Easily.
BY DAVID ]. WTLKIE,
Associated Press Stan Writer.

Associated Press Stan Writer.
~ ETROIT, September 3.-In
one of the most thrilling
- demonstrations of speed
and powerboat plotting,
Gar Wood, American defender,
after trailing az the start, cut
loose with his Miss America x
today to win the first heat of
the Harmsworth Trophy race
from Kaye Don, British chal-
lenger.
So slow was Woods craft in the
first four laps of the 35-mile course
that 1t seemed he could not get the
four 12-cylinder motors to produce their
maximum power. Seemingly, however,
ne was merely conserving his boat, for
he opened up at the end of the fourth
time around the course and crossed
the line to start the final lap only a
few boat lengths behind Don's white
hulled Miss England III.
At the end of the races Wood said:
Il ran the race exactly as 1 planned
1t; am very happy and I hope to win
again Mon1ay"
DESPITE Woods victory, which at
~ the finish showed a margin of
nearly two miles, Miss England III
turned up the fastest lap, circling the
course the first time around at a speed
OF S0.685 statute miles an hour Woods
fastest lap was at speed of 87.387 miles
an nour, on his second time around.
The average speed for the 35-mile
heat was Miss America x, 76014; Miss
England III, 71.265. This was consid-
erably slower than last years best aver
age, which Kaye Don set in Miss Eng
land II at 89.913 miles an hour.
Inc race was run under probably
the most unsatisfactory conditions ever
prevailing for a similar event. Rain
that began early in the morning con-
tlnued intermittently, ceasing Just long
enough to permit the Regatta Commit
tee to get the two hyd-oplanes under
way at am. after 30-minute post
ponement,
BY that time sharp wind had blown
up OFF Lake st. Clair and kicked up
white caps that caused the two boats
TO bounce considerably, and the rain.
coming again in the fourth lap. con-
trlouted poor visibility to the pilots
troubles. Nevertheless, both boats per-
formed splendidly.
TAKING no chances on another pre-
L mature start, both Don and WOOD
laid back at the start. About a
minute before the starting gun both
opened Up, to come roaring down to the
starting line only a few seconds after
the gun. Don was Is seconds behind
and Wood 20.
The English boat shot into an inne-
diate Lead. At the end of the first Ian
IL was half a mile ahead Finishing the
second and third laps it seemed that
cnly a mishap could deprive it of a VIC
tory. Approaching the finish of the
lourtn lap, however. Wood had all but
oVertaken Don. A few yards more and
ne was nearly miles in front of the
British challenger.
-, The rain failed to discourage many
thousands OF spectators. They lined the
snore OF the mainland, some with UNI
orellaS ana many seeking shelter under
newspapers. Opposite the course several
I hundred craft, ranging from canoes to
nuge Terry boats, brought additional
thousands to watch the contest.
Inc second heat will be run over the
same course Monday morning, and a
Ihlro, Ii necessary. on Tuesday.
MISS ENGLAND III arrived at its
II noat well with its stern riding
-, low in the water. Don said that
Inc boat had taken considerable water
during the heat, but he did not know
the cause.
.. AS the Miss England neared the boat
mouse at the end of the race. a me-
cnanlc standing on the prov called to
.ne operators of the speedboat towing
ner TO rush her into the well as soon
as possible. Don called for nails to
bail out the craft.
Asked why the boat appeared so low.
Don replied:
We began taking water. I don't
know how. I don't think we sprung a
eak and don't think we shipped ali
ne water we took on board. How it
got there don't know. That Is what
we Will have to find out today"
COON after Don landed, Commodore
> Harry Greening of the Royal Can
adlan Yacht Club, who represents
on the Harmsworth Commit
zee, arrived with Otto Barthel of the
american Power Boat Association. the
american representative, to talk with
he British pilot.
IN response to a question as to
whether he would be able to race Nom
lay, Don replied: IT think we will be
n there again Monday all right. But.
u course, can't tell until we find out
Vnat was wrong. How can I answer
ucn question when I have been
n only 5 minutes?"