Cat. helmsman out on his own

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 33985, 28 October 1975, Page 3

Cat. helmsman out on his own

A lack of competition appears to be the main problem facing Chris Hensley, the leading A!class catamaran yachting skipper in Canterbury, as ihe continues his preparation for the South Island championship at Picton early in December. Hensley, the winner of the island title in each of the last two seasons and a place-getter at national level, had no means of judging his i present form during the two

i races of the Canterbury club’s Labour Day regatta at , Lyttelton yesterday. ’ Although a late starter ini ' the morning event, Hensley; ’ soon had his craft, Katrina, i surging past the other A division boats in the moderate south-westerly conditions, I He did not have to extendi himself to build up a huge! lead by the completion of ; the first triangle of the ' course. The difference in boat: ■ speed between Katrina and the rest of the fleet was 1 more noticeable in the after-1 1 noon, even though the

ibreeze lightened, considerably for a time. Hensley was in front throughout, and, in the absence of the runner-up in the first race, Tanglefoot (John Dove), finished more than half an hour ahead of the second catamaran. Close finish Uninviting weather and the clash of dates with other yachting contests at southern venues, restricted entries to 30 boats, about half the number expected. However, there was some interesting.

I — if frustrating; when the | wind died away — racing, and a few reversals of major placings. Graham Parratt and Grant Nelson surprised by finishing well ahead of Brent Cowan and Mark Macintosh among the J.C. crews in the morning, a contrast to their rankings of last season. A fewhours later, Cowan and | Mark Macintosh not sailing, . it was the turn of Parratt and Nelson to be second to Paul Macintosh and the j prominent P-class Tony Roberts. Both tussles between Peter Maynard and AndrewGeddes in the Laser section were keenly contested, and they shared the line-honours. Two firsts The closest finish was provided by the P-class youngsters, Gregor Bowater and Noel Buckley, when Bowater came from quite a distance behind to receive the gun by 6sec in his debut on the harbour. Buckley again held the initiative for some time later

lin the day. Bowater eased ahead by 30sec. Catamarans. —Morning: Katrina iC. J. Hensley), finishing time 12:14.22, I; Tanglefoot (J. Dove •and T. Boyd), 12:29 t 5. 2; Saltx Tiger (Miss S. Cn-ie), ,n ' ’O. ‘ \fternoon: Katrina, 4:21.52, 1; Alpha Omega (m. vunuru,. 14:52.10, 2. Javelins.—Morning: Kehua (D Elder and R. Maxi, 12:32.8. 1. Gnu (K. Humphries and P. Brad ley), 12:36.19. 2. Afternoon; Kel.ua. 4:51.40. 1: Kay.jax (K. May and J. Borastont, 4:53.32. 2. 470-class.—Afternoon: En Garde (N. and G. England). 5:53-26. 1: Barrabus (C. and 1. Smith). 4:57.56, 2. J.C. class.—Morning: Tramp iG. Parrett and G. Nelson*. 12:28.16. 1; Tahuti (B. Cowan and M. Macintosh), 12:35.29. 2; Sagitta (P. Macintosh and A. Roberts). 12:36.6, 3. Afternoon: Sagitta, 4:55.39, 1; Tramp, 5:0.4, 2. Lasers.—Morning: No-name (P. Maynard), 12:26.56. 1; Laserfaire iA. Geddes). 12:27.19, 2: Hone (P. Nelson). 12:28.44. 3. Afternoon: Laserfaire. 4:43.40. 1; No-name, 4:44.14. 2; Flurry (C. Nordstrom), 14:45.7, 3. O.K. dinghies.—Morning: Conquetle (C. Roberts), 12:34.52. 1; Conquero II iD. Dawson), 12:36.37. 2. Afternoon: 5:0.32. 1; Conquero 11. 5:0.54. 2. Trailer sailers.—Morning: Outsider (T. Shapland), 12:56.54. 1; Miranda. 1:8.4. 2. Afternoon; Outsider. 4:18.11. 1; Nadane (1. Turpin), 4:51.0, 2. P-elass.—Morning: Kimbo (G. Bowater), 12:34.52. 1; Katie (N. Buckley), 12:34.58, 2. Afternoon: Kim ba, 4:47.43. 1; Katie, 4:48.13, 2