YACHTING P. G. Mantier Wins N.Z. Finn Title

Press, Volume C, Issue 29479, 4 April 1961, Page 17

YACHTING P. G. Mantier Wins N.Z. Finn Title

After holding the New Zealand Finn class title for three seasons R. H. Roberts, of Auckland, yesterday relinquished it to P. G. Mander, of Christchurch. Mander kept clear of the contest fleet on Lyttelton Harbour when the final race was sailed yesterday, and came close to no-one to risk an incident and hazard of disqualification. His fourth placing was sufficient to maintain a comfortable points lead.

Aggregate points for the best six performances in seven races were as follows: P. G. Mander (Christchurch Yacht Club) 6450, 1; R. H. Roberts (Takapuna) 5927, 2; G. W. Obom (Milford Cruising Club) 5353, 3; H. O. Pedersen (Otahuhu) 4253, 4; D. Bryson (Canterbury Yacht Club) 4019, 5; R. A. Roberts (Takapuna) 3213, 6; A. Ballintine (Pleasant Point) 3021, 7; W. Beere (Christchurch) 2766, 8: T. J. Speed (Tamaki) 2390, 9: A. Burgess (Pleasant Point) 2174, 10; J. Chapman (New Plymouth) 2018, 11; G. D. Hobson (Waimakariri) 1589, 12; D. Borrell (Canterbury) 1302, 13; E. Slyfleld (New Plymouth) 1196, 14; D. Turner (Mount Pleasant) 1139, 15. At the start of yesterday morning’s race, which was sailed over a double triangle with an additional windward leg, Mander kept well clear of the rest of the craft manoeuvring for position at the starting line. For him, this was obviously going to be a safely conducted race with no collisions, no right of way disputes and no mistakes. . When the fleet moved towards Church Bay into the south-west breeze. Mander set off on the opposite tack and when the two came together again a few minutes later Mander found a hole that was made for a comfortable fourth position and he stayed in it for the rest of the race. Roberts, who had made a championship start, soon had to concede the ability to seek and take advantage of the light lifts to an unruffled Helmar Pedersen (Otahuhu) who, dressed in a- white zoot suit and smoking a cigarette, had been waiting all the contest for just these conditions. Roberts and D. Bryson (Canterbury) might push Peder-

back A. Burgess (Pleasant Point), who had crossed the starting line first, was holding off C. A. Roberta (Takapuna) but he soon had to contend with G. A. Obom (Milford) coming up fast. The second place battle was resolved when Bryson came past Roberts by the lee on the second beat Dluppolntlng A double surprise was the sagging display at two Canterbury skippers—W. Beere, at the Christchurch club, and A. Bailintine (Pleasant Point). Beere failed to make an impression worthy of his ability; and BalHntlne, who bad been swapping first places with Mander for much of this season, was slugesh although later he worked mself through and caught up enough ground to be not too far away from Obom and C. A. Roberts. At the top mark for the second time Pedersen had a

nine second lead over R. H. Roberts, who had temporarily prised Bryson away from the second position; but Pedersen was not to be caught, and Increased his lead to 35 seconds bv the time the second round was completed. Roberts. In the meantime, was taken by Bryson. while Mander puddled along behind with points sparkling in his eyes. On the final, windward, leg the leaders put on a burst of energy to close on Pedersen and the tour of them finished within 36 seconds. Results of the seventh and 9nal race in the series were:— Blue Finn (Pedersen). 11:59 10. 1; Minnesota (R. H. Roberts). 11:59.28, 2; Pandora (Bryson). 11:59.33. 3; Fintahl (Mander). 11:59.46. 4; Flnnando (Ohorn). 12:0.55, 5: Flnn-eta (C. A. Roberts). 12:2.3. 6: Finrua (Balli mine), 12:2.10. 7; Personality (Speed). 12:2.47. 8; Puffln (Slyfield). 124.50, 9; Finite (A. Burgess). 12:2.56, 10; Elfin (Beere). 12:3.40. 11: Flnnul (Chapman). 12:3.1, 12; Ftntare (Hobson), 12:335, 13: Flnlsterre (Turner), 12:3.50. 14; Hyphen (Borr ell), 12:43. 15.