Successful Forum On F.D. Yachts

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31340, 10 April 1967, Page 14

Successful Forum On F.D. Yachts

The Flying Dutchman forum held on Lyttelton Harbour over the week-end was completely successful. Seven short races were held in the two days, with helmsmen and for’ard hands changing boats.

In spite of this, and the fact that the boats were tuned differently—four boats with four different masts, two of aluminium and two of wood, and each with mainsail and genoa from a different sailmaker—the results were surprisingly close. In fact, the first two races surprised by their closeness and the tenacity of the racing, with virtually nothing between any of the crews to windward. The second race on Saturday was the best ot the series, sailed in a light to moderate easterly. At the top mark after a three-quarter mile slog. Eastmond and Triage narrowly led Mander and Nixon, but all four boats rounded the marker within about six lengths of each other and they all crossed the finishing line within lOsec. Mander Top Helmsman Top helmsman for the weekend undoubtedly was G. S. Mander, with four wins in as many starts, while D. J. Triggs was the pick of the for’ard hands with an impressive three wins, two seconds and a third in six starts.

The other two who stood out were F. G. B. Simpson and J. B. Boag, while none of the contenders had bad races and all sailed with intelligence, particularly when the winds fell lighter and more fickle yesterday. While each of the four boats had its turn at winning at least one race. M. A. Pope’s El Scorpio took the honours from Hander’s Gazelle by three wins to two.

As a result of the week-end forum, at least three new boats are expected to be built.

Results: — Saturday First Race.—Gazelle (G. S. Mander and D. Nixon) 1. Hau-o-tere IF. G. B. Simpson and J. B. Boag) 2. El Scorpio (M. A. Pope and D. J. Triggs) 3; Flying Miss (P. Beaumont and A. J. Thurlow) 4.

Second Race.—Hau-o-tere (G. S. Mander and D. Nixon) 1, El Scorpio (R. D. Eastmond and D.

J. Triggs) 2, Gazelle <G. J. and C. J. Cooke) 3, Flying Mist (M. A. Pope and A. J. Thurlow) 4. Third Race.—El Scorpio (P. Beaumont and D. J. Triggs) 1, Gazelle (F. G. B, Simpson and J. B. Boag) 2, Hau-o-tere (R. D. Eastmond and D. Nixon) 3. Flying Mist (G. J. and C. J. Cooke) 4.

Fourth Race.—El Scorpio (J. B. Boag and D. J. Triggs) 1, Gazelle (T. Gould and D Nixon) 2, Hau-o-tere (R. Bryant and A. J. Thurlow) 3, Flying Mist (D. Harrison and R. D. Eastmond) 4.

Sunday First Race.—El Scorpio (G. S. Mander and D. J. Triggs) 1, Flying Mist (J. B. Boag and F. G. B. Simpson) 2, Gazelle (M. A. Pope and D. Nixon) 3, Hau-o-tere (G. J. and C. J. Cooke) 4.

Second Race.—Gazelle <T. Gould and D. Nixon) 1, Flying Mist <F. G. B. Simpson and J. B. Boag) 2, Hau-o-tere (D. Harrison and P. Beaumont) 3. El Scorpio (G. J. and C. J. Cooke)

Third Race.—Flying Mist (G. S. Mander and J. B. ..oag) 1, Hau-o-tere (M. A. Pope and D. J. Triggs) 2.