Source : ABC NEWS
A speedboat attempting to break a speed record in the US state of Arizona has spun in the air before crashing back into the water.
Footage of the incident from Arizona’s Lake Havasu showed the boat zooming off the water’s surface and flipping mid-air while travelling at what was said to be a speed of about 322 kilometres per hour.
The crash took place at the Desert Storm Shugrue’s Shootout annual speedboat race on Saturday, US time.
Two racers inside the boat’s covered cabin survived the incident in which the boat launched more than 9 metres into the air.
According to the Freedom One Racing team and an account by a race witness, the pair wore harnesses and helmets and “were just a little banged up”.
Freedom One Racing released a video saying its boat operators got out safely and that the vessel was now back on a trailer.
The video showed extensive damage to the boat, including splintered fibreglass.
Event organiser describes relief at ‘miracle’ survival
The boat still managed to cross the finish line and win the contest by registering a top speed of 322kph, Speedboat Magazine Publisher Ray Lee said.
Mr Lee said the twin-hull Skater boat was designed to rise up and hydroplane across the surface of the water, adding that windy conditions and propeller adjustments called trims likely contributed to the boat taking flight.
He said it was an inherently dangerous sport, though racecourses had been shortened from a previous length of 1.6 kilometres that produced speeds in excess of 386kph.
Safety precautions include reinforced cockpits with underwater diving gear.
Representatives for Freedom One Racing did not immediately respond to requests for comment from the AP news agency.
Steve Ticknor, president of the company that runs the event, said the boat was participating in a contest to see which vessel could race the course the fastest.
He said divers were on hand and responded to the crash within 20 seconds.
Mr Ticknor described his relief at seeing both people on board the boat pop open the hatch.
“Oh my gosh, it’s just a miracle,” he said.
AP
