Northland skipper leads in P Class yachting

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32810, 10 January 1972, Page 3

Northland skipper leads in P Class yachting

G. Palmer has only to maintain the excellent form that he displayed at Lyttelton during the week-end to become the first Northland skipper to win the premier New Zealand P Class interprovincial yachting trophy, the Tanner Cup.

Fully appreciating the moderate conditions that prevailed each afternoon, Palmer impressively led home his 44 rivals in the invitation event on Saturday and confirmed this result by comfortably winning the second race of the series proper yesterday afternoon. He was less prominent in the light south-westerly airs yesterday morning, but still filled third position behind W. Barnes (Wellington) and

the consistent C. Gilberd (Auckland East). With a total of 150 points, Palmer narrowly leads Gilberd (133.34) on the over-all assessment. Palmer was in control of the situation throughout the second heat, being 15sec in front of Gilberd at the first mark, increasing this advantage to 40sec by the end of the windward leg and finally winning by 1 min.

There was some variation in the order of the minor place-getters. J. Laurie (Bay of Plenty) and N. Larkins (Otago) temporarily separated Gilberd from Palmer, but the Auckland East representative recovered the lost ground to be the r.unner-up for the third consecutive time.

The Canterbury contender, P. Maynard, had his progress interrupted when he capsized at the wing mark and

his sixth was quite creditable although the fresh breeze was expected to suit his style. Bames; who caused an upset in taking the major honours in the morning race, dropped to seventh on this occasion after he was passed by Maynard on the final leg. The performance of Barnes in the opening heat underlined his preference for lighter airs.

Few ’ positional alterations occurred as the under-16 skippers sought to - wrest some assistance from the zephyr-like conditions. However, Bames was headed by Gilberd on the windward section of the course and the two .drew away from the remainder of the fleet. '

On the leeward run Bames regained the ascendancy and extended his margin to 31 sec before receiving the winner’s salute. Palmer, who had held second place initially, Laurie and N. Deverill (Auckland West) were next. Maynard, defending the title won by T. K. Stevens 12 months ago, was eighth. Palmer provided an omen of events to come when he overcame the effects of a diffident start and led around ■the first buoy in the invitation race on Saturday. Gilberd was again second, Maynard was a promising third and B. Tee (Whakatane) —an entrant in the Tauranga Cup (national inter-club) contest later in the week—was fourth. .Results:— SATURDAY Invitation race (45 started).— Blltzbird (G. Palmer, Northland), 1:48:40, 1; Staccarto (C. Gilberd,

Auckland East), 1:51:10, 2; Tyke (P. Maynard, Canterbury), 1:52:55, 3; Shamal (B. Tee, Whakatane), 1:52:59, 4; Sweetie (J. Laurie, i Bay of Plenty), 1:53:15, 5; Vaga-1 bond (D. Pickerell, Whangarei), I 1:53:45, 6. SUNDAY First race (15 started).—Wee I Herb (W. Barnes, Wellington), 2:10:24, 1; Staccarto (C. Gilberd, Auckland East), 2:10:55, 2; Blitzbird (G. Palmer, Northland), 2:11:46, 3; Sweetie (J. Laurie, Bay of Plenty), 2:12:18, 4; Wonderbird (N. Deverill, Auckland West), 2:13:50, 5; All Black (H. Collins, Waikato-Thames), 2:13:59, 6. Second race (15 started). —Blitzbird, 1:13:14, 1; Staccarto, 1:14:14, 2; Sweetie, 1:15:40. 3; Wonderbird, 1:15:59, 4; Red Baron (N. Larkins, Otago), 1:16:20, 5; Tyke (P. Maynard, Canterbury), 1:16:30, 6.

• Over-all points (two races).— Palmer 150 1, Gilberd 133.34 2, Barnes 125 3, Laurie 90 4, Deverill 73.33, 5, Larkins, 55.55, 6.