Skyhawk part being replaced; should be running later this week

Tuesday, 09 May 2006

By BRANDI BARHITE
brandibarhite@sanduskyregister.com

SANDUSKY - Cedar Point's newest ride, Skyhawk, remained closed Monday because of mechanical problems.

However, the giant swing should open later this week once a part is replaced, according to park spokesman Bryan Edwards. He did not have information on what part needed to be replaced, and the park doesn't normally divulge such information.

"We are working to have the ride opened as quickly as possible," Edwards said Monday via e-mail. He could not elaborate on the mechanical problems plaguing the world's largest swing -- another park policy.

The ride closed at about 9:30 p.m. Saturday -- the same day the park opened for the season. Cedar Point is open daily through Labor Day.

Edwards said Skyhawk completed a thorough pre-opening procedure. In accordance with state law, the ride was inspected and licensed by the Amusement Ride Safety Division of the Ohio Department of Agriculture, he said.

"We have notified and are working closely with S&S Power, the ride manufacturer," Edwards stated in his e-mail.

Thursday, Stan Checketts of S&S, said Skyhawk, which soars beyond 12 stories high at speeds exceeding 60 mph, is the first of its kind, although there are smaller versions of the swing.

Cedar Point's sister park, Dorney Park, near Allentown, Pa., debuted the Screamin' Swing in 2005 as an extra pay attraction, and it has worked just fine, said park spokeswoman Heather Kramer.

The Screamin' Swing has two arms with four seats on each arm. The 103-foot-tall Skyhawk has two arms with 20 seats on each arm.

Cedar Point's sister park, Valleyfair, in Shakopee, Minn., is debuting its version of Skyhawk on Saturday. The 100-foot-tall Xtreme Swing holds 40 passengers like Skyhawk and swings up to 125 feet in the air.

Marketing Director Bill Von Bank said the park hasn't experienced any problems with the ride. Knott's Berry Farm in Buena Park, Calif., also has a swing ride.

Riders were on the Skyhawk when it went down Saturday because of mechanical problems.

Millennium Force is voted No. 1

Cedar Point's Millennium Force was voted the No. 1 steel roller coaster.

The National Amusement Park Historical Association, the country's largest amusement park enthusiast organization, has released the results of its 20th annual NAPHA Amusement Parks and Attractions survey.

Millennium Force was named as the top steel coaster, an honor it has held or shared since 2002.

The Magnum XL200 at Cedar Point was voted the No. 2 steel coaster.

FunCoast.com is your online guide to summer fun for Cedar Point, the LakeErie Islands and Sandusky area. Our site offers up-to-date information on area attractions, restaurants, hotels, gasoline prices, ferry schedules, swimming, birding and fishing, along with a complete listing of events happening in the Sandusky/Cedar Point area. To use our Webcam and zoom in on Cedar Point's rollercoasters, go to http://funcam.funcoast.com

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