Costs might keep Lester at home

Press, Volume CXVI, Issue 34099, 11 March 1976, Page 30

Costs might keep Lester at home

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JOHN COFFEY)

The runner-up in the 1975 world O.K. dinghy* yachting championship. Peter Lester (Canterbury), might haxe to withdraw from the series in Denmark next July because of the expenses involved.

Lester said yesterday that if other sources of finance were not found 1o bolster the sponsorship offered by TV2 he would have to cancel the booking made to have his boat shipped to Scandinavia later this month.' It is considered imperative t OJCI dinghy clas- that New Zealand be represented in Dennark. for reasons other than the fact that Lester would be; e prime candidate to emulate: the late Clive Roberts and' win the title for this counThe 1977 world contest: has been a located to Auckland, and the championship • in Denmark would provide an invaluable opportunity' for New Zealanders to keep I abreast of overseas trends.': Otherwise, the New Zealand• team at Auckland would; face the risk of being sur- • prised by its European rivals. Lester said that the: sponsorship already given’ •mounted to about slooo.' compared with the $25001 outlay required to get him 1 to Finland a year ago.

.Much of that expense was; borne by Lester, who feels | that he is in no position to - take further leave from his ! emp' yment as a waterside; worker in Lyttelton to: finance the bulk of his air I fares and the transport costs' of his equipment. '

the second New Zealander •entered in the world chami pionship will be John Leydon. He was chosen to replace another Wellington j helmsman. David Barnes, /who will he sailing for New i Zealand in the world youth ■contest in Canada in July.