Byron Cobb Notches 6th Win In San Francisco Cable Car Bell-Ringing Contest
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS/AP) -- Cable car gripman Byron Cobb was named the winner Thursday in San Francisco's 52nd annual cable car bell ringing contest.
The San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency will hosted the contest beginning at noon in Union Square. Eight challengers competed on a parked motorized cable car.
Trini Whittaker had held the title of champion cable car bell ringer since 2012. Thursday's win was the sixth for Cobb.
They faced off against notable ringers Ken Lunardi and Leonard Oats, both three-time winners. Director of Transportation Ed Reiskin says the competition melds physicality, rhythm and improvisation.
Officials said Lunardi has spent the last three-decades as a cable car gripman and will soon retire. He was hoping to claim the crown and a place in bell-ringing history.
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