MADISON, Ind. (WDRB) -- A hydroplane boat sporting the name "Miss Madison" will be back on the water this weekend for the 75th Madison Regatta, racing into a new chapter following months of controversy over the team’s ownership.
Miss Madison is the only community owned hydroplane boat in the world. It's owned by the city and managed by a board of directors.
Madison Mayor Bob Courtney said that board secretly sold the two iconic boats last year to pay off more than $1 million in debt. A buyer from Washington purchased the two boats and is planning to race them in the regatta this weekend.
"There's no hard feelings," Courtney said. "We're going to embrace every team, every driver, every owner that is here, and we want to put on a great show for the entire region."
Courtney was one of the first to discover the alleged secret sale. He fired the Miss Madison board members and replaced them with new appointees.
The mayor also helped raise around $80,000 to ensure that a hydroplane boat would carry the Miss Madison name for this year’s event.
“We've reorganized," he said. "And you know what? Our determination is more powerful than ever. We're determined to make sure that our hometown crowd in Madison, Indiana, this year sees the Miss Madison again racing on the great Ohio River.”
Kyle Bipes is the new Miss Madison board chairman, appointed by Courtney. He's also entering his first year as the president of the Madison Regatta.
"Everything happens for a reason," he said. "We're at a new chapter of Miss Madison, and we couldn't be more excited about that chapter.”
The future of Miss Madison Racing and the iconic, community owned hydroplane is still uncertain. It will run in this year's race, but Courtney called it an "experiment."
"One way or another, we're going to continue to honor the legacy of Miss Madison, whether it's racing or continuing to tell her story," Courtney said. "So, this is a pivotal year for us to see what it's going to take to continue going forward, but we're starting with the baby steps, and that is getting our boat back out there in front of the hometown fans."
The Madison Regatta runs through Sunday. To learn more about the Madison Regatta, click here.
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