N.Z. GIRL TO SAIL YACHT AT SYDNEY

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31247, 20 December 1966, Page 24

N.Z. GIRL TO SAIL YACHT AT SYDNEY

‘‘The Press" Special Service

AUCKLAND.

Skippering a 12ft racing yacht and learning the art of judo, two most arduous sports, would be a most unusual combination of pastimes for any sporting enthusiast.

However, for Miss Beverly Coles, a 25-year-old Aucklander, these are just run-of-the-mill activities in which she participates nearly every week of the year.

Miss Coles will become the first New Zealand woman to represent her country in an inter-Dominion yachting contest when she will sail her own boat, Quahlee, in the event for Q class yachts at Sydney on January 7-15. She has been sailing for more than 13 years and her

selection for the contest has been the height of her competitive career. Quahlee, a boat that was planned by Mr J. Chapple, a notable New Zealand designer, has been owned by Miss Coles for more than two years. Earlier this year she finished third in the Auckland provincial Q class championships. Trials Placing

In the five trials for the selection of the team to compete in the inter-Dominion contest, Miss Coles was placed fifth over-all. Ten yachts were selected for the contest from 22 competitors.

One of the features of Miss Coles’s boat is that unlike most of the 12 footers, it is not sponsored by a business firm.

“I am strictly against the sponsorship of yachts,” said Miss Coles, “and I will never have Quahlee under sponsorship.” She said that she had a very good forward hand, D. Mills, and he had been a

great help in the battle to success.

During the winter months the Quahlee had been put out on to the water nearly every week-end for training purposes and this, Miss Coles said, was one of the reasons they had been so successful recently. A further token of success is the orange belt, for the art of judo, which Miss Coles gained at the Auckland Academy of Judo. Miss Coles has been learning this strenuous sport since last February and is pleased that it keeps her in such good condition for her yachting activities. When Miss Coles returns from the inter-Dominion contest she will compete in the Auckland championships in February.