Smale F.D. Champion For Fourth Time

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31660, 22 April 1968, Page 20

Smale F.D. Champion For Fourth Time

(New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND. G. A. Smale, of Auckland, yesterday became the Flying Dutchman class champion of New Zealand for the fourth consecutive year, and will be a prime nominee for the team in the Olympic Games at Acapulco.

Smale and his equally gifted crew, R. H. Roberts, finished well clear of the fleet. Although they gained onty third places in the final two races yesterday—they were won by G. S. Mander (Christchurch) and R. A. Watson (Auckland), respectively— Smale’s placings were enough to preserve the substantia) lead be had built up with four firsts and a third in the five previous trials. Mander Most Improved Mander, probably the surprise of the trials, and cer tainly the most improved yachtsman in them, held his second place on points, while Watson's win pulled him up to third place, ahead of J. V Bilger (Auckland). It said much for the qual-

ity of the sailing that H. O L Pedersen (Auckland) the present Olympic Flying Dutch man champion, could finish only fifth. The contest, which had pursued a stormy course, ended on a pleasant note yesterday. The last two races, postponed on Saturday because of rough weather, were sailed in a quiet, steady breeze, and some sunshine. The final placings of the leading yachts, giving the positions in each race, aggregate points and final points, with the worst performance deducted, were (D.N.F. did not finish, D.N.S., did not start):— G. A. Smale (Auckland), 1,1, 1,3, 1,3, 3; 17.1, 11.4, 1; G. S. Mander (Christchurch), 4,2, 2,2, 4,1, 2; 28. 20, 2; R. Watson (Auckland), 5,5, 3,1, dnf. 4,1; 58.7, 33.7, 3; J. V. Bilger (Auckland), 2,4, 8,4, 2,5, 7: 58.7, 43.7, 4; H. O. L. Pedersen

(Auckland). 3. 7,4, S, 3, S. 6; 45.8, 52.8, 5; R. Thompson (Auckland). 6. 8, 7. S, 5. 2.4; 89.1, 56.1, 8. The placing* of other Canterbury and Nelson skippers were: D. Eastmond (Christchurch). 15 18. 8. 7,7, 12. 8: 118, 93. 9: M. Pope (Nelson), 17. 18. 13, 16, 8 14, 9; 135 112 (equal) 12: F. Simpson (Christchurch), 20. 12. 10. 9, dnf. 13. dns: 146. 119. 14: T. Gould (Nelson). 13. 14. 19 12, 12, dns. dns; 154. 127, 16: H. England (Christchurch). 14 17, 12. IS. 11. dns, dns; 156. 129. 18 The results of yesterday's races were:— Sixth Trial.—Mander, 1:58:20. 1: Thompson. 1:59:23, 2: Smale. 1:59:28, 3: Watson, 1:59:43. 4: Bilger, 2:0:0, 5: Pedersen. 2:0:4. 6. Eastmond. 2:9:48, was twelfth: Simpson. 2:9:52. thirteenth: and Pope. 2:10:30. four teen th. Seventh Trial.—Watson, 1:47:0, 1; Mander, 1:49:19, 2; Smale. 1:49:52. 3: Thompson. 1:50:21. 4: J. Mackay (Auckland). 1:51:18. 5; Pedersen, 1:51:58. 6. Eastmond, 1:54:50. was eighth, and Pope, 2:55:24. ninth.