messing about in boats

Press, Volume CXII, Issue 33095, 9 December 1972, Page 4

messing about in boats

By

J. O. COFFEY

Title retained The leading Canterbury R Class skipper. J. Rountree, retained the Otago Quadrant when he won all three races of the series in Dunedin last week-end. Rountree's provincial team-mate, B. Kitson, gained a most creditable

third placing over-all, the two visitors being separated by the experienced J. Mears (Otago). One of Rountree’s heat victories was by the incredible margin of 17min. It was perhaps a sign of the times that only Kitson’s boat was not fitted with a twin trapeze, equipment that is fast being regarded as standard for this class. Champion’s visit Increased interest in the national O.K. dinghy championship at Wellington in February is assured, following the announcement earlier this week that the world title-holder Kjell Axerot (Sweden), is to compete. Axerot came from behind to beat the Auckland yachtsman, G. Woodroffe, in the last world event, and a return meeting between this pair—and C. A. Roberts (Auckland), who preceded Woodroffe as the top skipper in this country

—should be quite absorbing. The visit of Axerot will be sponsored by the Takapuna Boating Club, which will promote a special contest for the Swedish helmsman while he is in Auckland. Axerot will bring his own boat with him and will be available to give lectures on aspects of the sport. Roberts, the commodore, described the Takapuna club’s decision to bring Axerot to New Zealand as a “continuation of our

involvement in youth yachting. Now that the Cornwell Cup series is folding up this season, the Takapuna club intends carrying on with other classes of yachting where it has left off with the Z Class.” Auckland scene While the leading Canterbury P Class skippers were tussling for supremacy at Lyttelton last week-end, the final heats of the Auckland trials were being raced to find two Tanner Cup representatives. C. Brockliss won the western zone, compiling 350.01 points and relegating O. Jenkins (308.57) and M. Surridge (308.18) to the minor placings. In the eastern zone victory went to G. Bartlett (390), from J. Taylor (306.68) and M. Thompson (300). After three heats of the Auckland Finn championship D. Schmidt (with individual placings of first, second and third) led — having conceded 8.7 points — from the Olympic Games reserve, J. G. Farmer (Rotorua), whose progress total of 11.4 resulted from a win and two thirds. G. Beegan, who gained line honours in the other race, was third, on 19 points.