JAVELIN YACHTING Lyttelton men to defend title

Press, Volume CXIII, Issue 33370, 31 October 1973, Page 32

JAVELIN YACHTING Lyttelton men to defend title

(3.V

J. O. COFFEY)

The impressive form shown by D. Elder and R. May in early-season yachting events at Lyttelton suggests that they are poised to win their fourth South Island Javelin-class title in the last five years when the 1973-74 series is held at Dunedin next week-end.

There is evidence, however, of a stern southern challenge in a bid to relax the grasp that Canterbury yachtsmen have had on the island championship since 1968, and Elder and May will have more than the comparatively unfamiliar conditions to overcome. The seasoned Otago helmsman, R. Shearer, is regarded as the skipper most likely to extend Elder. A former Sanders Cup runner-up, Shearer’s most prominent placing at Island level was a third in company with J. B. Bilger at Akaroa two season ago. In the corresponding contest at Lyttelton last year, Shearer and Bilger were consistent, but had to be content with fourth position over-all. This time, however, Shearer has a new boat and, in D. Stringer, a new for’ard hand — and the combination has been dominating domestic races during the summer. They will have a most capable back-up crew in G. Dillon and I. Halstead, who were second at Lyttelton in Artful Dodger. The pair who

separated Dillon and Halstead from Shearer and Bilger 12 months ago, C. and I. Smith (Canterbury), have not yet completed preparations on their craft Sundowner and will not compete. Several other members of the Canterbury squadron are still in temporary recess, largely because of university studies or awaiting the delivery of new boats. A former Island champion, P. G. Beaumont — who joined G. S. Mander and R. Eastmond to beat Elder and R. Norris for the last Canterbury title — is also shorebound, because of injury. Eastmond will be at Dunedin, sailing with the new owner of John Wesley Hardin. D. Bundy. On recent results, it is probable that G. Coleman and W. Stringer (a brother of Shearer’s partBoraston will do best of the crews accompanying Elder and May to the South Island series. The closeness of the contest to the season’s opening has restricted entries from Canterbury. Besides Beaumont and Eastmond, C. White and D. Brandt have yet to take possession of new Javelins, but it is expected that contenders from Te Anau and Bluff will boost the fleet for the three heats to about 18 boats.