Florida Keys News
Tuesday, November 6, 2012
Danger is part of Super Boat racing
Three racers died in 2011, nine in last 27 years in Key West
BY ADAM LINHARDT Citizen Staff
alinhardt@keysnews.com

The roar of powerboats is back as the 32nd annual Super Boat International World Championships in Key West returns this week, but the shadow of last year's two fatal crashes that claimed three lives in one of the deadliest weeks in racing history lingers over the sport.

Three racers died on the 6.2-mile course, spawned one lawsuit on behalf of a widow who alleges that res...

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Superboats

Submitted on Fri, 11/09/2012 - 11:59am by Tarpley
Being stupid probably helps.....

Is there anything

Submitted on Wed, 11/07/2012 - 12:10pm by Get Real
that you people won't complain about?

I would not complain if you

Submitted on Wed, 11/07/2012 - 8:56pm by 666
I would not complain if you stopped posting.

Another Rossi conflict of interest.

Submitted on Tue, 11/06/2012 - 12:03pm by 666
So Rossi is the president of this group. Interesting since he was also the driving force behind turning the area along the water at Truman Annex from a "park", to "a staging area for the powerboat races." Check the current plans. The trees, paths and benches most locals visualized in that space as morphed into a concrete staging area under pressure from our city commissioner. Is there anything Rossi will not sacrifice that improves Old Town quality of life for his business interests?

No mention of the danger to spectators

Submitted on Wed, 11/07/2012 - 8:23am by trapper
such as the blade from a powerboat prop flying off and landing next to a tourist at Ft Zachery. Nor is mentioned the uncontrolled racing and running at excessive speeds in the harbor when it is oprn to regular traffic. The harbor is not a practice area, but it is used as such with no regard for the vessels which have to transit it between races. One day one will take out a dingy, fishing boat or a passing charter vessel. Only in Key West is the boats allowed to run uncontrolled with no consequences , when it ocours this year it will be documented and forwarded to Coast Guard Command . It is an unsafe situation that the race organizers have failed to adquetly control. Black Panther ; your "ducks" comment is great. having a duck weave through the race would add to the chaos and make it more interesting.

I agree

Submitted on Wed, 11/07/2012 - 7:48am by 666
Imagine an out of control boat ramming The Fury with 200 people on board? It's one thing for participants to put themselves in danger, but The City allowing Citizens and visitors to be in harms way is wrong. Of course, it only follows our City Motto: money first, safety last.

Archaic "Sport"

Submitted on Tue, 11/06/2012 - 7:09am by Jo Mama
who's best days are in its rear view mirror. Watching these cro-magnons haul there harem of gas guzzling toys around the country is a spectator sport in itself. Most appear to have a stable of jet-skis, golf carts, motorcycles, dune buggies, and gas powered margarita blenders as standard traveling equipment. How long before one of these rocket ships ends up flying into sunset key or one of the viewing stations near Mallory Square? Or maybe even wipes out a spectator boat? Last years death and mayhem should have been enough for the City to rethink this event. Any chance we could send the Duck Boats into the harbor during the races?

It's never happened

Submitted on Thu, 11/08/2012 - 12:04pm by Pat2K
I have been watching the powerboat races in Key West since the 70's and never once has there been an incident of a spectator (on land or sea) being injured or killed by a powerboat in the water. All acccidents have been contained to the powerboats that are racing. So that kind of blows your theory out of the water. If you don't like it, don't go and watch. These men (and women) choose to participate in this sport. People die playing football, baseball, biking, or even walking down the street. It's irrelavent as to the "danger" of the sport. Just being alive is a risk. It's undeniably sad that people die because of a sport, however, in all the years of powerboat racing in the Keys, the deaths overall are less than other sports.

Flawed Logic

Submitted on Sat, 11/10/2012 - 11:22pm by Jo Mama
Your logic is flawed. No history of a spectator being injured is no guaranty that it won't happen in the future.

Pay no attention

Submitted on Sat, 11/10/2012 - 8:55pm by Bad Dog
to the old fart, have-not yankee trolls here. They HATE everything and everybody.

Old Farts

Submitted on Sat, 11/10/2012 - 11:18pm by Jo Mama
The only old farts are the ones your mother finds when she does your laundry.

allowing spectators so close to the track makes it

Submitted on Fri, 11/09/2012 - 9:21am by trapper
just a matter of time and percentages. The % of deaths for last year is extremely high compared to other sports since it is participated by an elite few involved in thier latter mid life crisis. The risk is greater and not warranted, and yes the death rate is higher than other sports just due to the age of the participants, and btw powerboat racing IS NOT A SPORT, but merely another exstention of the Viagra attitude they have.

Shoulda, coulda, woulda...

Submitted on Fri, 11/09/2012 - 11:41am by Pat2K
So basically your rationale is that it "could" happen... seriously?! You COULD get hit by a car walking across the street, you COULD get shot, you COULD have a heart attack. Splitting hairs on whether it's a true "sport" is irrelevant. If you took any time to meet the people that do this, you would know they have to work out and be in excellent physical condition to withstand the severe pounding their bodies take in these boats, even at medium speeds. All that jolting can cause damage to the internal organs over time. Just take a joy ride in one of them and you'll know. So why don't you NOT go and let those of us that DO enjoy go and not having to listen to your juvenile whining. Or maybe you're just jealous that you can't afford to participate in it? Again, these participants choose to be there and they know the risks. Just don't go and you don't have to worry about getting hit by a boat. Simple as that.

WORK OUT ? The only thing they work out

Submitted on Sat, 11/10/2012 - 9:51am by trapper
are thier elbows , lifting drinks. and carrying around huge egos must be tough also. I liked the 4 guys in thier "bowlers shirts " and accompanied women carrying a bottle of Petron , passing it around while singing " the whole world watches me " . They then went and drove thier green and white superboat into the harbor. That was mid morning.
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