messing about in boats

Press, Volume CVIII, Issue 31662, 24 April 1968, Page 15

messing about in boats

BOAT SHOW The Boat Show, which opens in Canterbury Court on Thursday afternoon, will be on a smaller scale than previous years because of the shortage of display space, as the main court only is being used. Nevertheless there will be more quality than quantity, and there should be many interesting exhibits and many new models on show. This year, instead of the full range of yachting classes being on display, there will only be four types of yachts—the Olympic Flying Dutchman and Finn classes, an International B Class Catamaran, and a former “R” Class champion. Main interest will be the working exhibits on the "R” class stand, where two’

boats are being built. One, a clinker ply job, is being fitted with side tanks and deck beams by D. Harrison. This boat is for W. A. Beere, of Redcliffs. The second boat is being built from scratch during the period of the show and will be moulded from two skins of cedar by squadron members each day. Both boats are of the new Harrison “Relent” design and the moulded boat is for the well known Timaru yachtsman, J. Shanks. RECORD BREAKERS Last week's Flying Dutchman trials at Pakatoa Island provided some historic and record-breaking achievements for New Zealand yachtsmen. First there was G. A. Smale’s and R. H. Roberts’ fourth New Zea-

land title in this class, but perhaps more important was the exceptional result turned in by G. S. Mander and D. Nixon in finishing runnersup. No-one, even in his most optimistic thoughts, could have predicted such an upset and such wonderful performances by this crew, which have only been racing Caprice for four months. This was the nearly impossible break-through by two very fine yachtsmen who applied themselves with dedication and skill and a lot of hard work and thought. Notwith-

standing Mander's tremendous record of victories and experience in the past, and the fact that Nixon is a very good skipper in his own right, their battle against all known odds must rate as a modern feat of arms. Truly, well done! AUSSIE TEAM The Australian nominations for their Olympic yachting team were announced recently and in order of preference they are:

1. Dragon class: Jock Robbie (J. Cuneo. T. Anderson, J. Ferguson, Queensland). 2. Finn class: R. Jenyns (Queensland). 3. Flying Dutchman class: Sidewinder (C. Ryves and R. Sargeant, N.S.W.). 4. Star class: Ginger (D. Forbes and R. Williamson, Victoria). 5. 5.5 Metre class: Barrenjoey (W. Solomons, S. Kaufman, M. York, N.S.W.). Manager: A. Manford (W.A.). Reserve: J. Hardy (N.S.W.). Outstanding points are that the 5.5 metre Barrenjoey is the defending gold medal champion and may not be sent to the Games should the team be reduced as indicated by the Australian Olympic committee. The manager, A. Manford, is one of Australia’s best Dragon class skippers while the reserve J. Hardy is an F.D. and O.K. class skipper who won ihe world 5.05 championships in Adelaide two years ago. With only the one reserve, the team seems a little on the thin side should sickness strike the team in Acapulco. However, from the strength point of view this is a powerful team, which should collect some medals.