1954 Maple Leaf Trophy

Gale V Triumphs on Detroit River

Wins Maple Leaf Speed-Boat Regatta When Miss U.S. Capsizes in 3d Heat

Detroit, June 19 [1954] (AP) — Gale V won the Maple Leaf regatta today when Miss U.S. flipped in the final heat and almost sank.

Miss U.S., with George Simon of Detroit at the controls, appeared headed for victory in Canada's biggest speedboat race. But the craft pushing 130 to 140 miles an hour rolled over on one of the turns in the Detroit River.

Simon, who was thrown clear, was fished from the water. Suffering from shock, he was taken to a nearby hotel for examination. He was able to converse with friends but clearly was shaken up.

It was a tough break for Miss U.S. which was considered to have one of the best chances of taking the world title from Slo-mo-shun [IV] in the Gold Cup races on the West Coast in August. She will not be able to compete in the speedboat classic. Her entire starboard side was torn away and her cockpit smashed.

Miss U.S. won the first fifteen-mile heat but was disqualified for cutting a buoy. Gale V was placed first in the opening heat.

Miss U.S. took the second heat and seemed headed for victory in the third when she flipped. A tug saved her from sinking.

Gale V, owned by Lee Schoenith of Detroit, had a total of 1,100 points in the scoring system.

Gale V averaged 87.878 miles per hour for its victory in the first heat. Her winning time in the third heat slipped to 78.721 m.p.h. when the red caution flag went up after Miss U.S. plowed into the water.

Miss U.S. captured the second lap in 89.652 m.p.h.

Only four of the six starters completed the forty-five-mile event. Trailing Gale V were My Sweetie, Miss Wayne and Wha Hoppen Too.

(From the Associated Press)

Final standings
1 U-55 Gale V (1)
2 U-23 Wha Hoppen Too
3 U-3 My Sweetie (2)
4 U-50 Miss Wayne (1)
5 U-2 Miss U.S. (1)
6 U-54 Gale IV
DNQ U-8 Crusty
DNC U-6 Short Circuit (1)