Racing season 1930
The poet Gabriele D'Annunzio gives Augusto Turati, a man with a high institutional role, a cup accompanying the gift with this message: "I know that you vigorously protect the life of our lake and its nautical races. I announce to you that, in your honor, I will offer a large cup for the pure speed race (already celebrated in my book, "Alcione")"
"... this gift was then called the Coppa dell'Oltranza which, given the minimum speed established as the limit for the award, was not awarded for 1930" . (From "75 years of FIM 1923-1998", Armando Boscolo, Italian Motorboat Federation).
On June 13, in the English waters of Lake Windermere, the pilot Henry Segrave, aboard Miss England, attempts to conquer the world record for absolute speed on water; after having recorded, in two laps, an average of 152.930 km/h, during the third lap its hull capsizes. Of the crew on board, composed of the pilot Segrave and two mechanics, only Segrave and one mechanic are recovered. Unfortunately, the desperate conditions of the pilot lead to his death a few hours after being admitted to hospital.
As we will see, Gabriele D'Annunzio, visibly shocked by the death of Segrave, decides to dedicate his Coppa dell'Oltranza to the unfortunate pilot.
11 9 July 1930, another Englishman, Kaye Don, with the same Miss England hull as Segrave which, after its recovery and relative restoration, is once again suitable for competition, arrives in Italy, in Gardone Riviera, to try to conquer that absolute speed record so dear to his deceased compatriot. Through a few launches, the feat is achieved with an average of 171.494 km/h.
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Racing season 1931
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