STANDARD EXPECTED TO BE HIGH

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31627, 13 March 1968, Page 8

STANDARD EXPECTED TO BE HIGH

In spite of the absence of V. Bullivant, winner of the over-all title at the last three New Zealand championships, the standard of the BP sponsored ninth national water ski-ing championships at Lakeside, Lake Ellesmere from today until Sunday is expected to be particularly high especially in the men’s events.

Bullivant, formerly of Christchurch, badly injured his back in a car accident in the United States last year and was in a plaster cast for many months. At the moment he is still on crutches in Australia.

The main contender now for the over-all championship for the McAlpine Cup now appears to be the Aucklander, W. Coughie. He is a veteran of two world championships, one in Australia in 1966 and last year in Canada. In addition he has represented New Zealand at two Zone 111 Pacific championships. R. Fulton, another Aucklander likely to have challenged very strongly for the over-all title has withdrawn because he will be on his honeymoon. He has also competed at two Zone 111 and the world championships in Australia.

P. Reeves (Waikato) has shown great improvement over the last year and looks to have an excellent chance of taking the men’s jump title although he will be pushed by Coughie and possibly G. Mundell, of Auckland, and T. Coombes (Canterbury). Mundell has been very thorough in his preparations for these championships. He has spent the last nine months working at Surfers’ Paradise in an effort to improve his standard. He will have a good chance of success in all the men’s events. Coombes won the Canterbury title in grand style and has a best jump of 111 ft which would place him in a handy position. ■' B. Ruske will carry Canter-

bury’s hopes in the tricks events. He could possibly come to light at the championships being capable of more than 3000 points. If he can get two good runs he will finish well up but he is inclined to become nervous amid strong competition. However, Canterbury’s chances in the main men’s events have been greatly reduced by a spate of serious accidents. G. Sharp broke his neck in a car accident before Christmas and B. Murray, who would have been a strong challenger for the men’s over-all title, has broken his back.

“We have been hit very hard,” said the president of the Canterbury Regional Association" and chairman of the tournament committee (Mr A. Merritt). “We now, have no really strong hopes but our women and juniors should do well.”

After winning the women’s slalom and trick events last year, Miss J. Hole of Waikato is a definite contender to take the women’s over-all championship. She will receive strong competition from Canterbury’s Willetts sisters, Colleen and Faye and two Aucklanders, K. Holden and M. Halligan. However, generally the standard of the women will not be as strong as it could well be. Miss P. Clapshaw, of Canterbury, has improved con-

siderably this season having attended the last two junior coaching schools at the lake. She will strongly dispute the over-all girls’ championship possibly with Miss A. Hoskin, of Auckland. Canterbury is strongly represented in the boys’ events. E. Askew appears to have an excellent chance of success and N. Ruske, G. Walker and M. Gascoyne are certain to put in strong challenges. The championships were last held in Christchurch in 1964.