Hydroplanes return to Lake Coeur d'Alene

The Thunderboats returned to Lake Coeur d'Alene on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010, in the first Diamond Cup Regatta. The event celebrated the Diamond Cup Unlimited Hydroplane Races held on the lake from 1958 to 1968.

Section:Gallery

Sun., Aug. 22, 2010

David Williams pilots "Miss Wahoo" in front of the Coeur d'Alene Resort on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010, the first time any hydroplane has been on the lake in 42 years. "Emotionally, it felt amazing to be driving a hydro on Lake Couer d'alene," he said.

J. Bart Rayniak The Spokesman-Review
"Miss Wahoo" driver David Williams heads out on the choppy Lake Coeur d'alene race course for a couple more laps.

J. Bart Rayniak The Spokesman-Review
Vintage hydroplanes "Miss Wahoo," "Miss Thriftway," and "Miss Bardahl" get ready to run on Lake Coeur d'Alene on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010, as part of a celebration of the Diamond Cup Regatta Unlimited Hydroplane Races held in Coeur d'Alene 1958 to 1968.

J. Bart Rayniak The Spokesman-Review
Mira "The Flying Czech" Slovak came back to Coeur d'Alene for the weekend celebration of the Thunderboats returning to North Idaho. He won the 1966 Diamond Cup.

J. Bart Rayniak The Spokesman-Review
A Kootenai County sheriff's boat tows "Miss Wahoo" onto Lake Coeur d'Alene on Sun., August 22, 2010.

J. Bart Rayniak The Spokesman-Review
"Miss Wahoo" driver David Williams, who is also director of the Hydroplane Raceboat Museum in Kent, Wash., and crew members George Deering, sitting, and Pete Klein are towed past of mouth of the Spokane River on Lake Coeur d'Alene Lake on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010, in preparation for the celebration of the Diamond Cup Regatta.

J. Bart Rayniak The Spokesman-Review
"Miss Thriftway" driver Rob Wheeler and the rest of the crew fire the vintage hydroplane's 12-cylinder Allison engine in the pits Sunday morning, Aug. 22, 2010.

J. Bart Rayniak The Spokesman-Review
David Williams pilots the "Miss Wahoo" on Lake Coeur d'Alene on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010, the first time for any hydroplane in 42 years.

J. Bart Rayniak The Spokesman-Review
Hydroplane fans brought pictures and newspaper clippings to the pits to share with crews and other fans for the Diamond Cup celebration in Coeur d'Alene on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010.

J. Bart Rayniak The Spokesman-Review
"Miss Bardahl" crew members Skip Schott, left, and Ryan Smith, right, check the oil with a homemade dip stick as original Bardahl crew member Roger Kruse, watches. Schott is originally from Spokane and was a crew member on the 1958 Miss Spokane hydroplane.

J. Bart Rayniak The Spokesman-Review
David Williams starts "Miss Wahoo" after being towed onto Lake Coeur d'Alene on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010, by the Kootenai Country Sheriff's Department.

J. Bart Rayniak The Spokesman-Review
David Williams pilots the "Miss Wahoo" in front of the Coeur d'Alene Resort on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010.

J. Bart Rayniak The Spokesman-Review
"Miss Wahoo" is cradled and lifted out of the water after safely returning to the Murphy Landing pit area from her demonstration on Lake Coeur d'Alene on Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010.

J. Bart Rayniak The Spokesman-Review
"Miss Wahoo" is lifted out of the water at the Murphy Landing pits Sunday, Aug. 22, 2010.

J. Bart Rayniak The Spokesman-Review