Coaching week-end for yachtsmen

Press, Volume CXV, Issue 34021, 10 December 1975, Page 14

Coaching week-end for yachtsmen

(By

JOHN COFFEY)

The Canterbury Yachting Association, with the assistance of Ballins Lemonade and Radio New Zealand sponsorship, will break new ground when it holds an intensive week-end of coaching at Lyttelton next Saturday and Sunday. Mr H L England, the association’s president, said yesterday that the only comparable courses held in this country were the sailing schools introduced by the New Zealand Yachting Federation The major object of the two-day programme was to bring together all of Canterbury’s representatives preparing for New Zealand championships over the next few months and tc provide expert guidance and advice both on and off the water. Among those who will be assisting with coaching

are the manager of the New Zealand team at the 1975 world youth series in Scotland. Mr Hal Bennett (Auckland), the members of the youth squad. Craig Gilberd (Auckland), Murray Jones (Wellington) and David Barne- (Wellington), and the 1972 Olympic Game* Finn helmsman, Bret de Thier (Canterbury).

Gilberd was sixth in the monotype Laser class at the world contest, and Jones and Barnes finished third over-all m the twoman 420 division. De Thier will be joined by other members of the New Zealand team which will sail m the Pan Pacific and world Finn series in Australia, beginning later this month.

"Attention is to be given to -ail setting, starting procedures, boat trim and tactics, skipper-crew techniques, and overseas trends, Mr England said. Three coaches would be on the water to separate boats and will be able to make suggestions on the spot. The coaching is likely to

be specially valuable to the junior P-class and intermediate J. C. crews building up towards their national events next month. However, it is expected that open class competitors will also benefit. The P-class Tanner and Tauranga Cup championships having been allocated to Murray’s Bay in Auckland, the organisers of the coaching week-end have been wise in arranging to bring down a representative from that club to convey his knowledge of tidal movements, weather, and conditions that may be encountered at the time of the contest.

Mr England said that if the course proved successful it was likely that other provinces would follow Canterbury’s lead and establish similar programmes in the future. The national youth committee, with delegates from Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin, will be meeting at Lyttelton and taking the opportunity to evaluate the worth of the coaching school.