N.Z. yachting aims high

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33527, 7 May 1974, Page 28

N.Z. yachting aims high

(N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND. New Zealand is to challenge for the Admiral’s Cup in Britain in 1975 — in a §120,000 step into the world of big boat offshore teams racing. The New Zealand Yachting Federation has lodged the challenge with the Royal Ocean Racing Club, and the tobacco company, Dunhill, has agreed to put up $60,000 of the money required. Trials to select three boats and crews to go to Britain, run jointly by the Royal New Zealand Yacht Squadron and the Roval Akarana Yacht Club, will start in December. The boats will be shipped to Britain in April, with an expected 30-man New Zealand contingent following by air early in July, for a. month

working up in the English Channel before the four-race series starts in the first week-end in August. LONG PLANNING The decision to launch what represents one of New Zealand’s biggest international sporting campaigns was made after months of careful planning and sponsorship negotiations. The sponsor flew its specialevents manager, Mr Peter Huntley, from London to Auckland at the.week-end to complete arrangements. The challenge will be mounted on a national basis through an Admiral’s Cup Challenge Committee, which has been appointed to coordinate the fund-raising and preparation. The sponsor became involved as sponsor of the cun series itself. Because New Zealand was a significant omission from Admiral’s Cup fleets it made approaches

to its associate company in New Zealand to help finance a challenge. NATIONAL APPEAL The crews of the Admiral’s Cup yachts will be responsible for raising $30,000. The balance, $30,000, will come from a national fund-raising scheme to be launched late this year. The Admiral’s Cup series is sailed every second year and culminates in the classic 605-mile Fastnet race from Cowes — around Fastnet Rock, on the southern tip of Ireland, and back. to Plymouth. It began in 1957 with a fleet of nine boats, representing three countries. Last year 48 yachts competed, from 16 countries.

In terms of New Zealand offshore racing, the Admiral’s Cup is the obvious step to follow the successes in the One Ton Cun and the Southern Cross Cup.