DISQUALIFICATION OF KEELERS

Press, Volume XCIX, Issue 29337, 17 October 1960, Page 15

DISQUALIFICATION OF KEELERS

Action By Cruising Club Officials Several boats were disqualified during the opening-day race held by the Banks Peninsula Cruising Club on Saturday afternoon. A fleet of 17 keelers took part In the race, which was held in two sections, and most of them held together over the six-mile course on Lyttelton Harbour. The bunching caused difficulties, mainly rounding marks. Keelers which fouled the marks and failed to give right of way to other boats were eliminated from competition. By taking firm action at the beginning of the season the club’s sailing committee impressed on its yatchsmen its insistence on their abiding by the book. The course for the race was from the Moles, round Pile Light to Parsons Rock, about the new reclamation pile, over to Church Bay point, and back to the entrance of the inner harbour. Conditions were excellent for racing. The weather was fine, with a steady southerly. Perie Banou Leads The first keeler home was the A class Perie Banou, skippered by W. M. Cotter; E. R. Morrison’s sloop, Hylite, headed the B class boats. R. T. Barrow’s Fin, which followed Perie Banou in, won the A class handicap section on corrected time. D. N. Cresswell’s Dorade was placed second, and E. B. Payton’s cutter, Freedom, was third. Hylite took the first placing in the B class handicap. H. S. Thomas drove his sloop, Windward, for a second place, with Idle Hour (G. M. and N G. Harris) third. Saturday’s races were the first, in each class, for the best nine performances in 10 events of the club’s racing programme during the 1960-61 season. A class keel yachts will be competing for the Nicholson Cup; the Bona Cup will go to the most consistent B class keeler. The second race, in the series will be held on November 5, when the' course will be from the Moles to a finish at Jack O’Lynks wharf, in Port Levy.