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‘Mom’s Going to be Upset’ But Wracked-Up Regas Won’t Retire |
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1968 UIM World Championship
‘Mom’s Going to be Upset’ But Wracked-Up Regas Won’t Retire
|
Talking was difficult, but Jack Regas murmured an answer to an obvious question:
"No, I’m not ready to retire. I’ve had my three accidents."
He managed a weak smile.
Jack is in Virginia Mason Hospital again, recovering from injuries suffered when the Notre Dame pitched him into Lake Washington in the final heat of the world-championship Seafair Regatta. A year ago, the day after the Gold Cup race, Jack also was in Virginia Mason.
Regas’ injuries, like last year, are not as serious as those suffered when the Miss Bardahl dived into Lake Coeur d’Alene in 1959. That accident put Regas on the beach until the Notre Dame camp "reactivated" him last season.
"Mom," Jack whispered, "is going to be awfully mad when she hears about this. I hope to talk to her soon.
"We’re going to talk about this racing. I don’t want to give it up, but Mom’s going to be awfully upset."
Mrs. Catherine Regas knows about the accident, of course. She learned by telephone last night at her home in San Leandro, Calif.
Jack’s brother, Danny, left this morning to drive to San Leandro to be with his mother.
Jack’s injuries are similar to those suffered in last year’s accident. Yesterday, when the Notre Dame nosed in and Regas was tossed heat first into the water, he suffered a dislocated right shoulder, broken ribs and a hairline fracture of the fourth vertebra.
The hospital describes his condition as "satisfactory". He is expected to be hospitalized several days.
The future of the boat, like Regas’, is not clear. The Notre Dame came through the accident better than the driver. There was a popped seam in the hull, which caused the boat to sink. Otherwise, the boat also is in "satisfactory" condition.
It still is undecided if the hydro will be raced again this season. The hydro fleet heads east this week for next Sunday’s Diamond Cup race in Coeur d’Alene, then to Detroit and a hoped-for rerun of the Gold Cup race, postponed last month by foul weather.
(Reprinted from The Seattle Times, August 5, 1968)
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