THE SPEED BOATS

Hokitika Guardian, 11 September 1931, Page 5

THE SPEED BOATS

STILL MORE PUBLICITY.

[United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. ]

DETROIT, September 9

Kiayfe Don was -/resented (to-ciay with a Weyhing trophy, which is annually awarded to- the winner of the fastest ljip in the Harnisworth races, by virtue of his Sunday’s achievement. During the presentation, Gar Wood stood at Don’s side, and was the first to offer congratulations. The trophy is a 24in. silver cup. Gar Word to-dav contradicted the statements attributed to him, that he had deliberately drawn Don over the starting line. He said that the only thing he had in mind was to beat Don over the line. He felt that if he got away first he. would have a chance to keep the lead. When he saw Don make a start for tbe line, lie speeded up the boat and passed him before the line was reached. It was this earnest desire on Don’s part to get tile lead and Wood’s determination that be would not get the jump that caused the unfortunae mix-up. jWoodXwept as he discussed the statement attributed to the effect that lie had tricked Don. “I've been racing for years and we’ve done the best we could to carry the American flag in a sportsmanlike way. I don’t know how this misundestunding cun lie rectified . ” Wood broke down as he terminated the discussion. He said that bn couldn’t talk about it any more. All the Detriot newspapers on Monday evening carried stories which decribed AYood as deliberately drawing Don over the line, while Mood’s second boat held back and made a legitimate start. The newspapers further quote Wood as saying that lie planned the start in advance and that every thing went off just as planned. It was still undecided to-day whether any name would be engraved on the Harnisworth Trophy, and the question may be decided at the Yachtmen’s Association, as the national authority. If Miss America the Eighth is recognised as the winner, the name of Garfield Arthur Wood, the 13-year-old son of Gar Wood, will he engraved as the winner, as he is listed as the owner of the boat. George Wood’s name will go in the records as the driver. •