Well, yesterday was another sad day for the racing circuit. Another crash claimed the life of another racer. Joey Gratton of Sarasota, Florida passed away yesterday at Ryder Trauma Center as he was being treated for his injuries. The one glimmer of light to this accident was that Gratton’s partner, Stephen Page of Fort Myers, was spared his life; he freed himself from the wreckage and was released after being treated at the Lower Keys Medical Center in Key West.
Their 38 foot Skater catamaran powered by two 850 horsepower engines rolled twice on the final lap of the race. It appears to investigators that the team may have taken the last turn too fast and lost control. Speed, coupled with high winds of around 25 mph make a deadly combination for these offshore power boat racers. But even with this, the third death in just two days of racing, the races will continue tomorrow.
Our condolences to the family and friends of Joey Gratton.
RACE RESULTS
SUPERBOAT UNLIMITED: CMS
SUPERBOAT VEE EXTREME: Instigator
TURBINE: Miss Geico
SUPERBOAT 750: Warpaint
SUPERBOAT 850: JD Byrider
SUPER CAT: Stihl
SUPERBOAT VEE LIMITED: Watch Your Back
SUPERBOAT STOCK: Peters & May
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Island Genn – Your Key West Concierge