Garfield (Gar) Wood: Minnesota Sports Hall of Fame inductee, Class of 1959

He dominated power boat racing in the first half of the 20th century.

October 17, 2019 at 7:50PM
March 19, 1929 American and English Speed-Boat Kings to race for World's title - The mostly prominent race in the annals of speed-boat racing will be staged over the course in the Bay of Bibcayne, Miami, Florida, on March 20th and 21st., When major H.O.D. Segrave, noted English auto and speed-boat driver, in his 'Miss England', will attemptto wrest the motor boat record from Gar Wood, American Racer, who will pilot the 'Miss America VII'. P & P Photos
Gar Wood, shown in 1929, dominated power boat racing in the first half of the 20th century. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Garfield "Gar" Wood is considered the most important figure of the 20th century in power boat racing. With his Miss Minneapolis he swept to the fore, then maintained his dominance with a series of great boats.

"The most satisfying victory I ever had," Wood said, "was winning the Harmsworth trophy in England in 1920 with my Miss America. It was the first time we ever brought that trophy back from England."

He won the Harmsworth trophy nine times, and in 1931 set a world record of 124.95 miles per hour on the Detroit river, a record which stood for 15 years.

GARFIELD (GAR) WOOD

Class: 1959.

Sport: Powerboat racing.

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Joel Rippel

News Assistant

Joel Rippel writes about sports for the Star Tribune.

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