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Two boaters injured following Tavares speedboat event
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By Erica Rodriguez, Orlando Sentinel
8:39 p.m. EST, January 17, 2014
TAVARES — Two injured boaters had to be air-lifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center on Friday after an accident on Lake Dora following a popular weekend speedboat demonstration.
The men, who were not part of the demonstrations, were boating after the demonstration course was closed for the night, said Tavares spokeswoman Joyce Ross. The boaters were aboard a skiff, hit a rough patch and were tossed from the boat about 5:30 p.m.
Ross said the men were picked up by a nearby rescue boat. She could not confirm how badly the men were hurt.
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Friday marked the start of the Classic Raceboat Association's first annual Winter Thunder Regatta, a showcase of vintage race boats. Over the weekend, more than 70 vintage race boats are expected to run demonstration laps preparing their boats for the season.
The event is just months before the organization's more established Spring Thunder Race Boat regatta.
Pictures: Golden Globes 2014
That event was marked by tragedy in 2012 when three veteran boaters died in boating accidents. On March 17, Mark Van Winkle, 53, of Stuart died after being ejected from his boat and struck by another passing boat.
The next day Charles "Chuck" Woodruff, 54, of Jensen Beach and Dea Wiseley, 73, of Sun City Center were killed when their boats crashed into each other. State investigators determined human error was a factor in the accidents.
The race-boat association has since adopted new safety measures such as physicals for participants and slower boating speeds. Organizers this year said some boats reach top speeds of 150 to 175 mph, but organizers have recommended boaters against going anywhere near that fast.
Organizer Bill John said no other incidents have happened since the 2012 deaths. Friday the event "had a good session" with boats testing the waters. He stressed Friday's accident "was a recreational incident," and the boaters "were not part of the regatta."
ericarodriguez@tribune.com or 352-742-5928
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By Erica Rodriguez, Orlando Sentinel
8:39 p.m. EST, January 17, 2014
TAVARES — Two injured boaters had to be air-lifted to Orlando Regional Medical Center on Friday after an accident on Lake Dora following a popular weekend speedboat demonstration.
The men, who were not part of the demonstrations, were boating after the demonstration course was closed for the night, said Tavares spokeswoman Joyce Ross. The boaters were aboard a skiff, hit a rough patch and were tossed from the boat about 5:30 p.m.
Ross said the men were picked up by a nearby rescue boat. She could not confirm how badly the men were hurt.
See more topics »
Friday marked the start of the Classic Raceboat Association's first annual Winter Thunder Regatta, a showcase of vintage race boats. Over the weekend, more than 70 vintage race boats are expected to run demonstration laps preparing their boats for the season.
The event is just months before the organization's more established Spring Thunder Race Boat regatta.
Pictures: Golden Globes 2014
That event was marked by tragedy in 2012 when three veteran boaters died in boating accidents. On March 17, Mark Van Winkle, 53, of Stuart died after being ejected from his boat and struck by another passing boat.
The next day Charles "Chuck" Woodruff, 54, of Jensen Beach and Dea Wiseley, 73, of Sun City Center were killed when their boats crashed into each other. State investigators determined human error was a factor in the accidents.
The race-boat association has since adopted new safety measures such as physicals for participants and slower boating speeds. Organizers this year said some boats reach top speeds of 150 to 175 mph, but organizers have recommended boaters against going anywhere near that fast.
Organizer Bill John said no other incidents have happened since the 2012 deaths. Friday the event "had a good session" with boats testing the waters. He stressed Friday's accident "was a recreational incident," and the boaters "were not part of the regatta."
ericarodriguez@tribune.com or 352-742-5928
