Jet boat team

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33917, 9 August 1975, Page 48

Jet boat team

!By

LES BLOXHAM.

who will be with the team in

Mexico.)

Three Christchurch jet boats are among five selected to represent New Zealand in the Rio Balsas marathon in Mexico in November. The other two are from the North Island. The team was announced yesterday by the New Zealand Jet Boat Association’s panel of selectors — Messrs Jon Hamilton (chairman), Michael Davis (the association’s national president), and Guy Mannering. They also appointed Mr Dick Farrant, of Christchurch, the team manager. The five crews will be:— Bob Stout (skipper) and Alan Johnson, both of Featherston, and Max McKenzie, of Taumarunui. Their boat, Miss Kiwi, won the marathon last year. Neville Sutherland (skipper) and John Westland, of Christchurch, and Trevor McKenzie, of Invercargill. Sutherland ' was skipper of the New Zealand boat that won the marathon in 1973. Peter Phillips (skipper), Trevor Cross, and Clyde Collins, all of Christchurch. Phillips competed in Mexico last year as a crew member of Miss Bacardi. Rod Coleman (skipper), Dave Young, and Dave Russell, all of Wanganui. Howard Smith (skipper), Trevor Allan, and Des Hardy, all of Christchurch. The team will receive financial assistance for air fares and freight charges from funds raised by the jet boat association. The boats will be shipped from Wellington to Vera Cruz about the middle of next month. A sixth boat, from Otago, has been nominated by the selectors as a reserve. Bert Wiel, Lex Cameron, and Stan Hansen, of Dunedin, have but two faint chances of getting to Mexico — one if a selected boat drops out, and the other if the association receives more funds. The five-day marathon will] take the boats 500 km! through the rapids and shal-l lows of the Balsas River and; down the coast to a bay just! north of Acapulco. Ahout 60 boats — jets,) outboards, and inflatables —, from a dozen or more coun-[ tries are expected to take] part. If New Zealand wins again in November, for the

third year in succession, the solid silver President of Mexico Trophy will reamin here permanently. By the size and strength and ability of the team chosen, the jet boaters are determined to see that the trophy does just that.