$12,800 sponsor for jetboat marathon

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33655, 3 October 1974, Page 14

$12,800 sponsor for jetboat marathon

13.,

L. R. BLOXHAM)

The Mexican division of the Bacardi organisation has agreed to sponsor to the tune of 196.000 pesos ($12,800) the Christchurch entry in the international boating marathon on the Rio Balsas in Mexico next month.

I The jet boat is being (entered by two prominent [boaters. P. Phillips and J. Butterfield. Butterfield was one of the three —the others were N. Sutherland and C. Thacker—in the New Zealand boat which won the marathon last year. Understandably delighted by the sponsorship news, Phillips confirmed last evening that the boat is to be called Bacardi. It will be shipped next week to Vera Cruz, where it is expected to arrive about the end of this month. . Asked if he was worried about the boat being tampered with along the way, Phillips said: “It will be securely padlocked in a container. We are sending two keys by separate mails to the third member of our team. J. Noyes, who lives in Mexico City, and who will meet the boat on its arrival.” (An overseas entry arrived in Mexico for last year’s event with its motor missing). Phillips and Butterfield were impressed by their boat’s performance on a test run on the Waimakariri River yesterday. Their estimated speed was “in excess" of 70 m.p.h. , . The other New Zealand entry, an aluminium-hull jet boat from Taumarunui. is

■ also being shipped to Mexico t next week. It had an : m . . pressive run on the Wanga>’nui River from Taumarunui ; to the sea and back last . week at speeds also above • 70 m.p.h. • Bacardi will be put through its paces for the news media [.this morning before it ls [cleaned down readv for pack- ! ing in the container tumor. J row. , R. Farrant. another prominent Christchurch boater, who has been invited to drive [last year’s winning New Zealand boat for its new Mexican owner, announced last evening that he would be accompanied by B. Scott, of Geraldine. He will boost to 15 the total number of New Zealanders going to the Balsas either as crew members or supporters.