6 Seconds From Victory

Press, Volume CV, Issue 30951, 6 January 1966, Page 3

6 Seconds From Victory

(.Vetr Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, January 5. In spite of failing to win the final heat of the 12ft Inter-Dominion Yachting Contest in Auckland today by a mere six seconds, the Australian skiff Aussie, sailed by L. Porter (skipper) and D. Mathews will be taking home the Silasec Trophy for 1966.

The final points for the contest worked on the Olympic system called for the worst performance out of five races to be dropped and the fact that Aussie’s worst performance was fourth proved Porter’s consistency throughout the series. This was Porter’s third attempt in a 12ft inter-Domin-ion contest sailing Aussie.

In 1963 he finished in eleventh place in the contest sailed in Auckland, and in 1964 he finished seventh in Sydney. Mathews has also had three attempts in 12 footers but as for’ard hand in Escapade in the previous two contests. In a steady north-easterly today all boats made a cautious start with Aussie and Mecca (N.Z.) first away. There was a fine clash of tactics on the final slog and at the northern leading mark. Onyx led by Imin 18sec from Aussie, which was only 4sec ahead of Glitter. An exciting run to the finish followed with all boats hoisting big spinnakers. Aussie, which had her spinnaker repaired after Tuesday’s heat, slowly closed the gap on Onyx, and at the finish only 6sec separated the two. Third placing went to Glitter. 24sec behind. The result of the fifth heat was:—

Onyx, finishing time 3hr 14min ssec, 1; Aussie, 3hr 14tnin 7sec, 2; Glitter, 3hr 14min 35sec, 3: Eureka, 3hr 17min 18sec, 4; Fred, 3hr 18min 56sec, 5;. Friend o’ Millers (G. Colless, Australia), 3hr 19min 51sec, 6; Miss Autoshine, 3hr 20min 19sec 7; Schweppesmanship (G. Thomas, N.Z.), 3hr 22min 50sec, 8. The New Zealand team won the Jack Brooke Trophy for the teams’ contest.

Three protests, which, however, will not affect the winner of the Silasec Trophy, were to be heard after the contest. The provisional placings are: Aussie (Australia) 4419 points, 1; Onyx

(New Zealand. M. Paterson) 4271, 2; Venture (Australia. D. Morgan) 3980, 3; Miss Autoshine (N.Z., R Bittenll) 3875, 4; Fred (Australia. D. Lehany) 3602. 5; Glitter (N.Z., B. Woods) 3347, 6: Josephine (Australia. J. Gale) 2430. 7: Eureka (N.Z., A. Reid) 2368, 8.