N.Z. MOTH CLASS

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33113, 2 January 1973, Page 3

N.Z. MOTH CLASS

Church has big lead

The effectiveness of the Stewart’s Gully yachtsman, G. A. Church, in heavy weather has probably never ben more obvious than in the first three heats of the South Island New Zealand Moth class championship on Sunday and yesterday.

Church led home the fleet by decisive margins in each of these races and, assisted by various mishaps to his strongest rivals, has established a virtually unassailable points lead.

A protest by the 1971-72 champion, K. Henderson, against D. Webster yesterday afternoon has complicated the over-all positions, but it would seem that Church has to do little more than complete the course in either of today’s two heats to take the title.

The most unfortunate competitor has been Henderson. On Sunday, he was ahead of Church when the northeasterly wind, which was gusting to 30 knots, caused gear breakage to his craft, and Church was able to regain the lead that he had held earlier in the event. In the second race, sailed in a moderate north-easterly Henderson came out worst in a four-sided tussle for the minor placings, and his boat was holed in a collision with Webster’s Moth later in the day. WTrile Henderson made repairs on the banks of the Waimakariri, his club-mates contested the championship that he won a season ago at Westport.

There may have been a hint of luck in Church’s opening victory—although he was in front of Henderson until Henderson capsized and finally led home G. Corkin by 3min —there was no doubt as to his superiority yesterday. Results:

First race <ll started): Bewitched (G. A. Church), 59min 58sec, 1; No. 463 (G. Corkin). 1:2.58, 2; Hot Pants (R Smith). 1:9.41. 3; Razz (B Wright), 1:11.51, 4; Avenger <G Smith). 1:21.48. 5.

Second race (14 started): Church. 1:25.47. 1; Nark (D. Webster). 1:29.1, 2: R. Smith. 1:29.22, 3: P-J (D. Rump), 1:29.48. 4: Wildfire II tK. Henderson), 1:30.2, 5.

Third race (13 started): Church. 1:27.4. 1: Rump. 1:28.17. 2; Vixen (J Platts). 1:297. 3 Other placings subject tc protest by Henderson against Webster, who was fourth to cross the finishingline.