Rep. jetboats dominate

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33966, 6 October 1975, Page 26

Rep. jetboats dominate

(N.Z. Press Association) NEW PLYMOUTH. After a record-break-ing down-river run Rod Coleman and Dave Russell of Wanganui returned in similar style to win the Wanganui River boat marathon which finished at Taumarunui on Saturday afternoon.

Coleman drove the boat, Mr Suzuki, for only a short distance. The rest of the credit must go to his- codriver, Dave Russell (Wanganui).

The second fastest time for the event went to Alan Johnson (Featherston), in Super-Ace. He was third fastest on the downhill run but the flow of the river suited and Johnson checked in with a time of shr 29min 46sec. Third place went to John Butterfield of Christchurch in Outlaws. The first three place-get-ters in the top class are all members of the New Zealand team who will be competing in the Rio Balsas race in Mexico next month. Coleman’s time for the whole race was shr llmin 52sec, more than 14 minutes ahead of the next boat. Coleman said after the race he was never in doubt of winning after he completed the first stage to Wanganui on Friday. The winner of the C class was another member of the New Zealand team, Howard Smith (Christchurch), in Cheetah 4, with a time of 6hr smin 26sec. C. Buchanan (Palmerston North) in Sv’oopy with a time of 7hr 39min 52sec, was first in the D class.

The prize for the best sportsman in the marathon went to B. Napper, Christchurch. He went to the rescue of a boat in distress and drove back to the start line, ending his chances of gaining a place in his class.