N.Z. Champion To Scull At Henley

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31041, 22 April 1966, Page 13

N.Z. Champion To Scull At Henley

(New Zealand Press Association) WELLINGTON. The Auckland sculler, M. P. Watkinson, will compete in both the Royal Henlev and world championship rowing regattas this year.

The New Zealand Rowing Council last night endorsed a proposal by its selectors to send Watkinson on what will amount to a four-month European tour.

The council has no plans to send an eightoared crew to either Henley or the world championships at Bled, Yugoslavia. However, it is considering a proposal for an Auckland eight to compete at Bled. The council secretary, Mr E. R. McCalman (Wellington), said that Watkinson would leave New Zealand in June and would compete in the

Reading and Marlow regattas | j before Royal Henley. Watkinson will also compete in a number of Con-1 tinental regattas before the j world championship. However, before Watkinson; leaves for the overseas tour, i he will have to satisfy the i council of his fitness and will have to reach standard times • set by the council. Mr McCalman said that it was normal for a New Zealand i eight to compete at Empire Games but because rowing

had been omitted from the Jamaica programme, the council had considered sending a crew to the world championships. However, because of the cost and the fact that raising money for a non-Empire Games event would be difficult, the council had decided against sending an eight. An application for a composite Auckland eight to compete at the world championi ships has been referred to the council's selectors. Mr McCalman said it was proposed that the eight leave New Zealand in August and compete in at least one Continental regatta before the world championships. In Auckland today, Watkinson said that he was pleased to have the chance of competing again in Europe. “I have been keeping in top condition since the national championships in March with the world championships in view,” he said. “The European tour will give me the opportunity of staying at an international level which is particularly important with the Olympic Games in two years time.” Watkinson finished fifth in the 1964 Olympic Games sculling final.