messing about in baots

Press, Volume CIII, Issue 30631, 23 December 1964, Page 11

messing about in baots

To Defend Title Advice has been received that the defending champions in the R class, G. J. and C. J. Cooke, of the Waimakariri club, will be defending their title on Lyttelton Harbour after all. C. J. Cooke has received advice of postponement of military training so the two are now working all hours to finish their new boat in time for the Leander Trophy. Also, two late entries from Dunedin, the well known J. Mears and L. Campbell, will be competing, increasing the number of starters to 40. Of 1 all the yachting contests, the Leander Trophy is by far the most interesting and spectacular to watch. A Good Show The Waimakariri regatta, although it was not given the full support of the clubs for some unknown reason, was a great success. It is a friendly club, with everyone trying to be helpful and co-operative, and the team of officials has its organisation keyed to a fine pitch. Recent improvements to the rigging area, combined with the new concrete launching ramp meant that about 60 boats could be launched in a very few minutes. Noone could complain of lack of water even though the racing was done at half tide. When the R class can race with “full plate” there are no water problems.

Sydney-Hobart A Christchurch yachtsman, J. M. F. Sandeman, will be taking part in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race this year. He flew to Sydney last week-end to join Mr Robert CrichtonBrown, skipper of the Saracen 11, and other members of the' crew, on a training cruise. A former officer of the Royal Navy, Sandeman was twice a member

of British crews which competed for the Americas Cup. Since coming to Christchurch to live, he has had considerable experience in local waters, particularly off Banks Peninsula. Sandeman speaks enthusiastically of the Saracen IL a 36-foot fibreglass boat, but would not be drawn into prophesying the result of the race. “There’s a big entry this year—possibly 40 or 50 boats —and you need all' the breaks to beat a field as large as that” he said. Christmas Regattas There are two regattas that are attracting most attention over the Christmas vacation period. One is at Pigeon Bay where a most successful event was run last year. Again, main support will be from the Finn class and indications to date are that half a dozen of the top skippers will be competing. The other main class will be the Australian Moth class. The other main attraction is the Picton Regatta, which was revived last year after some years in recess. Racing will cater for all classes, including the more numerous Javelins, R’s, Finns and Moths. Last Chance ■ Those crews with an eye and a chance for honours or high placings in

the two contests to start § on Lyttelton Harbour in § just over two weeks have § had their last chance of | race practice and tune up | performance tests. There | will be no more serious § racing now until the ac- § tual contests. These are: $ Leander Trophy, for the § National R class, starting | on January. | N.Z. Championship for | the O.K, class, which is starts on January 10 at S

BRIAN BOULTON, who will represent Canterbury in the Tanner Cup and the Mount Pleasant club in the Tauranga Cup. Charteris Bay. And, of course, after these contests, to add further interest in yachting, is the Sanders Cup, which will start on February 3. This Week-end December 26 and 27. A choice of racing at the Mount Pleasant, Charteris Bay, and Timaru Yacht clubs, the Pigeon Bay regatta and the Picton regatta. Banks Peninsula Cruising club race to Akaroa, Sunday, December 27, starting at 8.30 a.m.