SMALE IMPROVES LEAD

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31655, 16 April 1968, Page 24

SMALE IMPROVES LEAD

(N Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 15. The Auckland crew of G. Smale (skipper) and R. H. Roberts went further into the lead in the New Zealand Flying Dutchman championship and Olympic trials off Pakatoa Island yesterday. They staged a brilliant finish to beat G. Mander (Christchurch) home by 30

seconds. It was their second victory in this seven-race contest, which is sponsored by Rothmans. On the Olympic low points system for computing they had not had a point registered against them. With 11 points against them, Mander and J. V. Bilger (Auckland) are in second place. The race began in moderate wind and Mander opened up a lead from R. Watson (Auckland) and Smale. The wind became fairly changeable and Mander increased his lead on the second slog. Here J. Mac Kay took

a “flier” to push Smale out of second place, and Watson dropped back to fourth position. Mander continued to increase his lead, although the rest of the fleet started to bunch. He was still the pacemaker round the bottom mark for the last time, with Smale. Mac Kay and Watson next. Mac Kay and Smale had a little spinnaker trouble. Then Mac Kay and Smale obtained a “lift,” Smale sailing right round Mander to lead home. Second Race.—G. Smale and R. H. Roberts (Takapuna, Auckland) 1, G. Mander and D. Nixon

(Caprice, Christchurch) 2. J. Mackay and R. Wilkinson (Fireball, Auckland) 3. J. V. Bilger and M. Fisher (Jan. Auckland) 4, R. Watson and J. Scholes (Lucius, Auckland) 5, R, Thompson and G. Elliott (Helen ot Troy, Auckland) 6. H. Pedersen and J. Hansen (Ondinc, Auckland) 7 - „ u . A Points.—Smale and Roberts 0, Mander and Bilger 11. Pedersen and Mackay 18.57. Watson 20. Thompson 23.

Saloon Title.— D. Bremner (Auckland), yesterday won the D.R. sponsored national saloon grass track championship, driving a Volkswagen. Minor placings in the points table will not be available until later in the week.