Yachtsmen to resume close rivalry

Press, Volume CXI, Issue 32801, 29 December 1971, Page 10

Yachtsmen to resume close rivalry

(By

J. 0, COFFEY)

The Canterbury skipper, G. Oborn, will have the advantage of sailing in his home waters when he resumes his rivalry with D. Tonks (Wellington) during the inaugural New Zealand Hartley 16 Trailer Sailer yachting championship which begins at Lyttelton on Saturday.

Their duel in this class began two yean ago when Obom took his craft, Eno Gro to Evans Bay and returned home with the Quik Stik Trophy, a prize that he will be defending over five races at Lyttelton. However, Tonks gained revenge when a New Zealand team challenged Australia for the Hartley Trophy at Sydney last season. The margin between Tonks and Obom was no more than the few feet by which the Wellington representative won the final heat and competition between the

two is expected to be very keen on this occasion. Since Tonks, Oborn and A. Rendle (Wellington), who was fourth, travelled to Sydney, the class has been granted national recognition in this country. It is possible that leading Australian crews will return the visit, with Wellington being considered as a venue for a contest in February. A total of 21 entries, including three each from Auckland and Wellington and another from the Invercargill yachtsman, J. Lindsajtb has been received for

the title Series. In conjunct tion with the main event, team and handicap trophies will also be at stake. Obom, N. Stringer and B. Burrough—who will be sailing the yacht owned by the championship’s officer of the day, J. Wilkinson—will be severely tested by the Wellington trio of Tonks. A. Rendle and D. Rendle at inter-provincial level. In addition to the com. petitive aspect of the series, the heats should provide valuable experience for the less seasoned members of the Canterbury squadron and an opportunity to tune some of the more recently launched boats. Two skippers, P. Dawson and C. Graham, will be at the helm of trailer sailers owned by club-mates, while Lindsay has the assistance of a local crew. Lindsay’s late entry is the first by a Southland representative in a major contest.