The Post-Crescent from Appleton, Wisconsin • 28

Losing his 'cool' on the American Eagle I -Be i i li i irniii inmi I i ir- -71 BY BOB LOWE Post-Crcent itaH writer GURNEE, 111. It is billed as "the longest, tallest, fastest, steepest double-racing wooden roller coaster in the world." You've probably seen the commercials on TV: riders gripping the retaining bar until their knuckles turn white the announcer inton ing ominously about "pounding hearts and eyes transfixed with excitement" the coaster reaching the apex of the track and terrifying screams coming from the riders as the trains plunge 15 stories downward through a maze of twists and turns. It's The American Eagle, "the coaster to conquer" at Marriott's Great America here this year. The American Eagle opened up to riders for the first time in May, when the 200-acre $50 million amusement park opened up for its sixth season. "The American Eagle represents theultimateadventurein thrills," said Ron Johnson, cvice president and general manager of the theme park.

"It is part of our continuing effort to offer the finest, most exciting attractions in the country. The American Eagle is a landmark attraction for the Midwest and will take guests on the most fantastic roller coaster adventure they have ever experienced." With an advance billing like that, I could hardly contain the excitement swell ing inside of me one day last week when I made my annual pilgrimage to this thrill-seeking paradise. It was my fourth trip to Great America, which is located 45 minutes south of Milwaukee on 1-94. On previous visits, I conquered my initial fears of even going on a coaster. Then I went on to master such rides as the Tidal Wave (where you are taken through a 76-foot high loop), The Demon (in which you plunge 70 feet per second down a 100-foot incline and taken through two corkscrew loops), Willard's Wh izzer (where the cars drop down a seven-story free fall and whirl through a spiraling track) and Logger's Run (a flume ride with a precipitous 60-foot drop into a splashy finish).

Surely after experiencing all of this, I was ready to take on The American Eagle with unflinching bravery, cool demeanor, steady hands, calm nerves and open eyes or so I thought. Your heart starts palpitating fiercely the moment you see the awesome 127-foot incline standing far off in the horizon. To understand why, consider the following: A rideaboard the American Eagle begins with a climb up a 330-foot incline. The trains pause momentarily for one cardiac-arresting second to give you a "breathtaking Eagle's eye view of the park." Then its on to The Drop, a spine-tingling plunge of 147 feet I in m. in i i 1 (including 20 feet below ground level) at an angle of 55 degrees and a maximum speed of 66 miles per hour.

I've experienced some tremendous sensations on coaster rides. But this one tops them all. If after experiencing this dramatic descent, you are not hyperventilating, your heart pounding and your hands and knees trembling, then you have ice water running through your veins. I must confess that I cheated a little bit during The Drop: I closed my eyes during the 10-second other and continue their race into the home stretch covering more than 2,000 feet of hills and valleys in less than 30 seconds. The entire ride is 2 minutes and 40 seconds.

The only way I can describe the ride is to say it feels like you are about to fall off the top of the Empire State Building or free-fall from an airplane without a parachute. The American Eagle has 9,000 total feet of track. Designed by Figley-Wright Contractors Inc. for Intamin the support structure is contructed of more than one million board feet of Douglas fir, spans a distance of more than 2,000 feet and covers an area of more than 237,500 square feet. The coaster structure consists of more than 550 vertical frame supports with connecting horizontal cross-pieces, called "bents," which are anchored to the ground by 2,000 concrete footings.

According to Margie Moss, public affairs manager for Great America, the American Eagle is as safe as modern technology can make it. "This is the first ride we've had that is run entirely by computer," Moss said. "The computer is programmed for safety and if everything isn't just as it should be, the computer won't let the ride go." It was because of some computer qu irks early in the run of The American Eagle that there were some stoppages. In one case, the trains stopped at the crest of the 147-foot drop, leaving riders in a terrifying state of panic at the apex of the incline. Moss said the American Eagle was designed as a racing coaster, with two trains running on identical courses.

But the demand for the rides have been so great, she said, that the racing format has been abandoned. As it was operating last week, one train was completing its ride as the other one was beginning its cl imb up the incline. The waiting lines for the Eagle arequite long and park officials suggest that you get to the park when it opens at 10 a.m. and head directly for this high-demand coaster. Waiting periods have sometimes been as long as two hours.

I was lucky. I got there early and got through the line in 30 minutes. While you are going through the coaster's maze-likequeue system in the American Eagle Arena, you are entertained by a jazz band and you can also purchase refreshments while in line. The American Eagle is fast developing a reputation as being among one of the "10 best" in the world, according to some coaster experts. It is the ultimate white-knuckled thrill-seeking, spine-tingling, heart-stopping adventure ride.

Would I ride it again? Sure. I hope that next time I can keep at least one eye open. tKM plunge. And my nerves got the better of me. My hands, which were gripping the support bar for dear life, began to tremble.

In short, I had a hard time appearing "cool." At least, I didn't scream. The trains continue their up and down path over a series of inclines before reaching the second apex and turnaround point, 117 feet above a lake. The cars vibrate and rattlea lot, giving you a sensation of becoming unglued. After twisting down a double hel ix turn, the tracks cross over each Wine-making workshops are planned Oct. 11.

There is no admission charge. From noon-5 p.m., an old-fashioned grape-stomping contest will highlight the festivities. There is a nominal entry fee. Contestants, urged to wear crazy cos-, tumes, try to see how much juice they can stomp out of a barrel ful of grapes in two minutes. Grape-stomping heats are scheduled throughout the afternoon with the championship around 4 p.m.

Style, speed and best costume count for points and prizes. In addition, a grape spitting contest, a roving accordionist and refreshments are planned. Wollersheim Winery Is open from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. year-round It is located 20 miles northwest of Madison on State 188, near Prairie du Sac. Information and a brochure are available from Wollersheim Winery, State 188, Prairie du Sac 53587 or call (608)258-8800.

PRAIRIE DU SAC Twin workshops will be conducted in the historic Woller-sheim Winery here for those who want to learn to make their own wine. Bob Wollersheim, a professional wi-nemaker and ownery of the winery, has scheduled seminars for 9 a.m.-l p.m. Sept. 5 and 12. The workshops are tailored to neophytes as well as seasoned wine hobbyists who want to learn the latest techniques.

Cost is $10 a person and reservations are required. Wollersheim, who also teaches courses through the University of Wisconsin-Extension, in wine appreciation and grape growing, will be assisted by Don Blackburn, a Norwegian-born, French educated, American winemaker who holds degrees in grape growing and winemaking. Besides the workshops, the winery also has planned its fall harvest festival for Tht Post-Crescent 12 Leisure HomeAugust 8, 1981.