Yachtsmen question Games refusal

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33873, 19 June 1975, Page 30

Yachtsmen question Games refusal

I By

JOHN COFFEY)

Concern that the Canterbury Yachting Association had not been consulted on the possibility of the sport applying for inclusion in the 1977 New Zealand Gaines was expressed by the association’s president (Mr H. L- England) yesterday.

Mr England intends to take the matter up with the national body when it meets in Wellington on Saturday. The national administrations of all sports affiliated to the Olympic and Commonwealth Games Association were sent circulars regarding their eligibility to be included on the Games programme. and it was only when Mr England read newspaper reports that he became aware yachting had been one of two to reply in the negative.

Mr England said that there was “obvious interest” in Canterbury to have yachting

as part of future Games. However, the expense incurred would be- a major I factor in any final resolution [to go ahead, and Mr England [concedes that there “may be 'very good reasons” for turning down the chance of making an application. “We do not know the cost details or whether there were problems regarding the supply of boats, the venue or the date. We will ask the federation for the reasons, and may be in agreement when we hear them,” Mr England said. “But at the moment we feel that if yachting could be staged in the games then we should go ahead and apply. Canterbury is not trying to start an argument with anyone, we just want to know the background.” Mr England envisaged that a one-class yachting series, with perhaps a dozen overseas skippers and a similar number from this country, would be a suitable yachting event to fit in a Games calendar. It is usual for the host nation to provide the

.craft in such instances, -[which would reduce the costs r i considerably. 11 A drawback in yachting’s i I case would be its unsuits ability as a spectator sport. - However, yachting is a tradif tional Olympic choice, with the public paying to board t spectator boats — virtually : floating grandstands — to :[ watch the racing, and Mr i; England said that it might be >|possible for similar arrange,lntents to be made at a Can--11 terbury venue.