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Miss U.S. Captures World Title |
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Bardahl Wins Interminable Diamond Cup |
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Diamonds Aren't Forever : 1968 |
1968 Diamond Cup
Miss U.S.
Captures World Title
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Miss Bardahl of Seattle posted her third unlimited victory of the season to win the 10th Diamond Cup August 11th at Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. Gusty winds forced repeated postponements of the preliminary heats sending the final event off into near darkness.
Rookie Tommy Fults drove My Gypsy to a second place finish in the 13-boat field. Matched with the winner in an earlier heat, the former drag-boat "king" proved his driving skill by defeating the Bardahl entry in a thrilling five-lap duel. His heat clocking of 102.661 m.p.h. and 105.140 m.p.h. lap speed were the fastest of the day
Host boat, Miss Eagle Electric of Spokane, held the lead in points and position until a supercharger failed at the initial turn of the final heat. From that point national champion Billy Schumacher took control in Miss Bardahl. He completed the frequently delayed contest over turbulent waters just seven minutes short of eight hours after the opening gun.
Final standings: Miss Bardahl, Billy Schumacher, 1100 points, $3,000; My Gypsy, Tommy Fults, 925 $2,100; Miss Budweiser, Bill Sterett, 925 $1,500; Miss Eagle Electric, Warner Gardner, 800 $1,000; Notre Dame, Leif Borgersen, 794 800; Savair s Mist, Walter Kade, 525 $600; Atlas Van Lines, Bob Miller, 450 $400; Gale's Roostertail, Bill Cantrell, 300 $250; Miss U.S., Bill Muncey, 300 $200; Smirnoff, Dean Chenoweth, 300 $150; Fascination, Bob Gilliam, 169; Harrah's Club, Jim McCormick, 0; Parco's O Ring Miss, Fred Alter, 0.
— Bob Brinton
(Reprinted from Yachting, October 1968, p.191)
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