Powerboat Racing: Fragile Sport

For sheer exclusiveness, danger and sangfroid, no sport quite matches hydroplane racing. The boats are worth upwards of a quarter of a million dollars, and there are perhaps only 20 unlimited-class hydroplane racers in the world. Last week 15% of them were wiped out in a single race. The official — and somewhat chill — reaction, from Lee Schoenith of the American Power boat Association: "I don't think it's go ing to have any great effect. But it sure isn't going to be the same kind of sea son for the participants."...