N.Z. Wants Two Entries

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30741, 4 May 1965, Page 19

N.Z. Wants Two Entries

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 3. A ruling whether the Olympic gold medallists, H. O. L. Pedersen and E. L. Wells, are eligible to sail in the world Flying Dutchman championships in Italy in September is being sought by New Zealand. Normally, each country is allowed only one entry in the championships. In previous years, however, the defending champion has also been allowed to enter. Pedersen is not the world

champion, but no official world championship was sailed in 1964, when Pedersen and Wells won their gold medal in the Flying Dutchman class at the Olympic Games. As the reigning New Zealand champions, the crew of G. A. Smale (skipper) and R. H. Roberts (crew) have qualified to be this country's basic entry in the world championships. They won the national contest at Murrays Bay at Easter.

J. V. Bilger was second and Pedersen third. “We have written to the world Flying Dutchman organisation to find out if we can send two crews,” said the president of the New Zealand Flying Dutchman Association, Mr D. St. Clair Brown. “A reply is awaited. “If we are allowed to send two crews, we will have to raise funds to send the second crew. It would be valuable to have a second string to our bow.”