1952 Biscayne [Pohl] Miami Gold Cup
Biscayne Bay, Miami FL, February 17, 1952

NOTE: The course was announced at 2½ miles, but informed judgment was that it was closer to 2 miles. On a 2½ mile course in heat one Miss Great Lakes II speed was correctable to 87.757 with Gale II coming up with 87.567 making for a 2.8 second victory for the Al Fallon entry. On a 2 mile course the second heat speeds translate to 87.804 to 85.510. If we apply the second heat times to a 2½ mile course it comes out 98.780 to 96.199. At any rate the Great Lakes II won by 13.2 seconds in the second heat.

During the year the best 15 miles the Great Lakes II turned in was 90.348 m.p.h. in the Ford Memorial over a 3 mile course. Gale II’s best was 82.215 m.p.h. over a 2½ mile course in the President’s Cup. Thus it is hard to imagine either boat going significantly over 90 m.p.h. for a heat.

Applying the first heat times to a 2 mile course it comes out 78.006 to 77.837. If the first heat was run in rough water these speeds make sense. The start of the first heat was delayed two hours. Perhaps this is the best explanation with the second heat being run on smooth water with the boats speeds going up 87.804 to 85.510.

[Statistics and comments from Greene, V.1]

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