Canoeists withdraw

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 32893, 17 April 1972, Page 3

Canoeists withdraw

Because they might have jeopardised their amateur status and thus the chance of representing their countries at the Munich Olympics, a number of internationalclass canoeists decided against competing in the Rothmans eight-imle canoe race on the Avon River on Saturday. Eight Australian canoeists might have faced serious consequences from their country’s Olympic federation if they had competed with the sponsor’s banner on their canoed, as did all the local canoeists. The visitors, who had been racing in the North Island for the previous three weeks, and the leading New Zealand double kyak combination of B. Fletcher and T. Dooney (Palmerston North), who are attempting to gain Games nomination, decided to withdraw from the events. However, they did compete in special demonstration

; events and A. Powell, who . has represented Australia at , the Olympics since 1960, ap- ’ peared especially impressive ' by finishing only 58sec be- ; hind Toomey and Fletcher. i Results of the events organised by the Arawa Canoe Club , were:— I International demonstration 1 races.—B. Fletcher and T Dooney, double kayak (Palmer- • ston North), 1:1:12.0; L Farmer , and R. Millsum, double kayak ‘ (Victoria, Australia), l:8:5.0; A. , Powell, single kayak (Victoria), 1 1:2:10.0; L. Chenoweth, junior single kayak (Victoria) 1:23:54.0. Senior racing.—G. Teear , (Christchurch) 1, R. Steel (Kupe, ’ Wellington) 2. D. Neate (Christ- ; church) 3. Time: 1:8.10. Junior racing.—T. Jenkins (Palmerston North) 1. Time: > 1:17:17.0. 1 Women’s open.—Miss R. Peart son (Christchurch) 1, Miss K. i Walker (Christchurch) 2, Miss A ' Baird (Christchurch) 3. Time: 1:41:20.0. I Junior singles.—D, Wales r (Arawa, Christchurch) L C. Hinds j (Arawa) 2, D. Stewart (Tlmaru) 3. ! Senior doubles cruising.—C. ‘ Nichols and G. Barker (Arawa) 1. f Time: 1:26:2.0. 5 Intermediate racing doubles.— s M. Mclver and I. Albertson (Arawa) 1. Time: 1:37:26.0. Junior racing doubles.— A. Stewart and G. Peterson (Tlmaru) S 1. i Senior racing doubles.—E. and

M. Nichols (Arawa) 1. Time: 1:11:51.0. Senior cruising singles.—M. Fletcher (Palmerston North) 1, N. Milsum (Christchurch) 2, C Cook (Arawa) 3. Time: 1:14:40.0.