Healthy growth

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32566, 27 March 1971, Page 14

Healthy growth

A marked increase in the " number of J.C. intermediate class designs in competition in New Zealand centres was reported in a recent newsletter of the Christchurch Yacht Club. Mr'H. L. England, a member of the club’s J.C. subcommittee, said that as many as 40 crews were expected to enter for the next New Zealand Olympic Trophy championship con-' test at Howick, Auckland. Eighteen yachts sailed in the Auckland trials and a fleet of 12 raced in the corresponding series in Wellington this season. It is probable that fibreglass hulls will be permitted in the near future, and this . should further accelerate the growth of the class. “The J-C. sub-committee is gathering information on the glass hulls in preparation for a postal ballot of all registered J.C. boatowners. The introduction of fibreglass would “help overcome the shortage of hulls, reduce maintenance costs and make a ready supply of hulls available. The welltuned wooden hull would still hold its own. Inquiry as to the price suggests that they would be about the same as wooden ones, or perhaps a little cheaper,”

said Mr England. Christchurch, which shares sponsorship of the class with the Kohimarama (Auckland) club, has been very active in J.C. promotion in this province. It donated the first school kitset to lay the foundation for the annual Peter ,Marider inter-secondary schools* series.