Disqualifications Rescinded

Press, Volume CI, Issue 29717, 10 January 1962, Page 13

Disqualifications Rescinded

(From Our Own Reporter)

WELLINGTON. January 9. Yachtsmen who were disqualified by the Leander trophy contest sailing committee for not having signed a declaration after the first and second races on Monday that they had sailed the events fairly and fully have forced the committee to reverse its decision. Twenty boats were disqualified from the second race alone, including two highly-placed Christchurch yachts—Fantastic (G. J. Cooke, waimakariri) and Impetuous (B. J. C. Wall, Canterbury Club). Fantastic had been fourth and Impetuous fifth, all other boats being in very minor positions. Officials were besieged with a mob of noisy skippers and for’ard hands, who demanded the reinstatement of the boats which the committee had ruled would receive only starting points. The secretary of the Canterbury R class squadron, Mr J. B. Simpson, of Redcliffs, told the

chairman of the committee, Mr H. Wagstaff, of Wellington, that if reinstatement was not carried out the matter would be taken to the squadron, which is the ruling body for the class in New Zealand. Mr Simpson said no time limit had been set for signing the declarations. At a meeting later, the committee decided to rescind its earlier decision, and it promulgated a time limit for signing—before the start of this morning’s race. All defaulting skippers signed the sheet—and six of them signed the sheet for the next race before the race was sailed. The secretary of the sailing committee, Dr. D. W. Walker, of Christchurch, moved the original motion, which was seconded by Mr K. Rushbrooke. of Auckland. The Canterbury squadron commodore. Mr A. W. Shields, also supported the motion. “We made our point," Dr.

Walker said today. “Even though no-one has been put out. they all know now we mean business and will not tolerate any laxnesa in abiding by the rules during the contest."