Auckland skipper leads

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32804, 3 January 1972, Page 3

Auckland skipper leads

The Auckland skipper, D. Despy, took a narrow over-all lead in the New Zealand Hartley 16 yachting championship when he won the second heat at Lyttelton yesterday afternoon.

Until Despy took advantage of the light variable conditions, it appeared that the first national trailer sailer series would be dominated by D. Tonks (Wellington). However, Tonks, who had led home the fleet in the invitation event and first heat and piloted his province to victory in the team race, was able to do no more than drift in sixth as the competitors struggled to avoid becoming becalmed.

This was sufficient to keep Tonks within 12.5 points of Despy with three races remaining. He has a total of 137.5 and is ahead of the Canterbury representatives, N. Stringer (125) and G. Oborn (120), and the Auckland yachtsman, M. Evans (112.5) and R. Gross (76.2). Only 14 seconds separated Tonks, Stringer and Obom at the completion of an interesting duel yesterday morning. At the first mark they had moved well clear of their rivals, who were led by Despy. Despy took control of the afternoon event, holding an advantage of more than 30 seconds from B. Burrough (Canterbury), Stringer and Obom when rounding the first buoy. These skippers and A. Rendle (Wellington) were bunched at the end of the

triangle section of the course, but Despy established a decisive advantage on the windward and leeward legs, and won by almost four minutes from Evans. SATURDAY Invitation race (19 started*).— Judy Lee (D. Tonks. Wellington), 2:22:55, 1; Eno Gro (G. Oborn. Canterbury), 2:24:14, 2; Wicked Wahine (D. Depsy, Auckland), 2:27:52, 3; Red Baron (A. Rendle, Wellington), 2:28:43, 4; Aurora (M. Evans, Auckland), 2:32:15, 5; Windara (R. Gross, Auckland), 2:33:55, 6. Team race.—Wellington (Tonks, A. Rendle, D. Rendle), 171.43

Solnts, 1; Auckland (Depsy, vans, Gross), 140.57, 2; Canterbury (Oborn. N. Stringer, B. Burrough). 138.33, 3. SUNDAY First race (20 started). —Judy Lee (D. Tonks, Wellington), 1:59:53, 1; Tun II (N. Stringer, (Canterbury), 2:00:05. 2; Eno Gro (G. Oborn, Canterbury), 2:00:07. 3; Wicked Wahine (D. Depsy, Auckland), 2:03:39. 4: Wlndara (R Gross, Auckland), 2:04:34, 5; Aurora (M. Evans, Auckland), 2:04:47, 6. Second race (20 started).— Wicked Wahine, 2:30:51, t; Aurora, 2:34:46. 2; Eno Gro. 2:35:21, 3; Turi II 2:41:08, 4; JuLee (B, Burrough, Canterbury), 2:41:23, 5; Judy Lee 2:49:20, 6.