Incentives for yachtsmen

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33189, 31 March 1973, Page 4

Incentives for yachtsmen

(By

J. O. COFFEY)

An extensive programme has been proposed for leading yachtsmen in the Finn class over the next two years, and if present plans are realised as many as 20 New Zealand helmsmen will receive the opportunity to gain international experience. The first of the overseas excursions will be restricted to northern competitors. J. G. Fanner (Rotorua), who regained the national title at Wellington earlier this season, and the runnerup, D. Schmidt (Auckland), are already assured of Rothmans grants to travel to the Finn Gold Cup in France. Farmer was thirtyseventh in a fleet of 132 starters in the corresponding contest at Bermuda it 1969 after having finished eighth at the 1968 Olympic Games regatta at Acapulco. He was a reserve to B. G. de Thier (Canterbury) at Kiel last year and has previously won New Zealand (1968) and Pacific (1969) championships. In 1966 Schmidt was ; fourth over-all for the Pacific Gold Cup in Sydney —won by de Thier —and he has usually been prominent i in domestic events. He and I Farmer will be accompanied by three other Aucklanders, 1 who will be chosen at the completion of a trial series , this week-end. The possibility of the ;

1973-74 New Zealand cham pionship being allocated ' Nelson will be of more vital importance to South Island yachtsmen On the last occasion that the Roth mans Silver Helm was at stake at a southern \_enue— Charteris Bay in 1970-71 — de Thier won handsomely from Farmer. Mrs H. G. Wheatley, of Auckland, the .secretary of the New Zealand Finn as- o ciation. said recently that no firm decision had be-m made concerning the de<tination of the series. How ever, she said negotiations were being carried out between administrators of the class, the Nelson Sailing Club and the Nelson Finn owners' association. Obviously, many mere competitors from this pan of the country would be able to travel to Nelson

than to any North Island venue and a prominent performance would bring them into contention for the 1975 Finn Gold Cup, which may be staged in Australia. Should Australia host the contest. 20 New Zealanders might be eligible to take positions in the fleet. This, in effect, would be regarded as a preview of the 1976 Olympic Games contest and would certainly provide an indication of New Zealand's medal prospects in the monotype division. Although somewhat insignificant when placed alongside the world championship, the South Island series at Timaru last week-end may well have played its part in preparing leading Canterbury helmsmen for the more earnest challenges ahead. It certainly illustrated the continued supremacy of de Thier, who was unbeaten in all four heats, and confirmed that B. E. Treleaven and J. S. Wearn remain his strongest rivals. There was also a most promising display by the provincial O.K. dinghy champion, P. Folter, who overcame the problems of using a borrowed boat to be fourth over-all. This quartet will no doubt set their sights at being in Nelson for the New Zealand championship in an effort to win favour for the planned international series in Australia. It is also likely that Folter’s immediate advance will persuade others in the O.K class to consider switching to the Olympic division.