N.Z. narrows lead held by British yachts

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32801, 29 December 1971, Page 20

N.Z. narrows lead held by British yachts

(From

PAUL CAVANAGH,

N.ZTA. staff correspondent) SYDNEY.

New Zealand’s yachtsmen continued their attempt to win the Southern Cross Cup during yesterday’s sailing in the SydneyHobart race, but with the three British yachts leading on handicap, it looked to be an uphill struggle.

C. Bouzaid, in his 39ft sloop Wai-Aniwa, provided the impetus for the New Zealanders yesterday, moving into fifth position on corrected times. This was an improvement of four platings on yesterday morning’s report, and boosted New Zealand's standing against Britain in the cup contest. B. Wilson, in Pathfinder, wag credited with sixth position, thus holding his mace from' the morning, but Runaway (J. Lidgard) had slipped from eighth to tenth. The yachts between Pathfinder and Runaway on corrected times were not cup contestants, so that the New Zealand team was lying fifth, sixth and seventh of the cup racers. The New South Wales boat, Polaris, was in fourth position, separating the New Zealanders from the three leading British yachts—Prospect of Whitby, Cervantes and Morning Cloud. BIG ENCOURAGEMENT Wai-Aniwa’s run yesterday has given the New Zealanders a great deal of encouragement, and if she can continue with the work and split the British yachts, New Zealand still has a chance of taking the trophy. Race officials from the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia calculated last night that Britain had 380 points and New Zealand 340. The previous night they said Britain had 380 and New Zealand 334, so the New Zealand team appears to be slowly closing the gap. The big United States yacht. Kialoa 11, maintained its lead for line honours. Last night she was 22 miles ahead of her nearest rival, American Eagle, with the third United States entry. Ondine,

seven miles further back, in third place. BID FOR RECORD Race officials placed Kialoa about 60 miles east of Flinders Island, north of Tasmania, and calculated she had 25hr 46min in which to cover the remaining 235 miles to Hobart to beat the race record. However, she is beating' against strong sou’-west winds and rough seas. There was no report last night from T. Clarke in his Auckland cutter Buccaneer, winner of line honours in last year’s race. Officials said the fleet patrol boat had reported that Buccaneer was having trouble charging her

radio batteries and might not be able to report any further positions. They added that as far as could be ascertained, she was in the first dozen yachts. Yesterday morning’s report had Buccaneer in twelfth position. - The platings of the New Zealand yachts last night, showing line honours end corrected time positions, were:— Whispers II (G. Stags, Welling-Wal-anlwa, 19th and sth; Pathfinder, 20th and 6th; Runaway, 23rd and 10th; Savant (K. Cox, Wellington). 36th and 58th; Skinflint (K. Henley, Auckland), 58th and 62nd: Cassandra (E. Howe, Auckland), 70th and Out; Buccaneer, no report.