Written by JOHN HAHN
Ledger Correspondent
When the 77th version of the Orange Cup Regatta gets started today, about 10 a.m. on Lake Hollingsworth, organizers will be a little more confident in the safety of the drivers.
"Safety is the No. 1 priority," said race director Gene Engle of Lakeland. "That includes safety for all. The drivers, pit crews, officials and especially the spectators."
Engle's father, Walter, started the event 81 years ago and there have been only a few off years, including two during World War II.
Friday at the Lakeland Yacht Club is usually dedicated to arrivals, registrations, driver meetings, test runs — and the capsule training, which trains drivers in escaping from boat capsules in the event of a crash.
Drivers must be certified inside the simulator every two years, even if their class of boat does not have a canopy. It's a requirement by the American Power Boat Association which sanctions this level of competition.
There will be more than 125 boats registered in this year's regatta — nearly 100 entrants from Florida and the remainder coming from 31 other states and two countries (Canada and Bermuda). Local drivers include veterans Bradone Schipf (Lakeland), RC Hawie (Lake Hamilton) and Robert Dinicolantonio (Lakeland).
