Jet-boat documentary soon

Press, 27 July 1976, Page 15

Jet-boat documentary soon

Bv

KEN COATES

Television Two in Christchurch has high hopes of producing a spectacular documentary from a New Zealand jet boat race later this year which has been billed as the most gruelling jet boat marathon in the world. The producer, Graham Veitch, said a 30-minute to 40-minute programme was planned as a result of coverage of the race which would cover nearly 1000 kilometres. The most spectacular part of the race will be over a tortuous course of South Island rivers and a lake. Three camera crews will be used, including one which will shoot from a helicopter. The marathon, with an

entry of 60 boats, is open to international participation. It begins on September 3 in the North Island and this section consists of two legs on the Wanganui River to Taumarunui and back — 230 km each way. it is the South Island section of the race which has attracted the most interest from TV2. This begins on September 15 and follows a course up the Waiau River to near the confluence with the Hope River. The boats are then transported to Westport where they race 56 km up the Buller River to Lyell. They are transported to Ikamatua where the race continues in the Grey River to Greymouth.

Then it is south to the Taramakau River. upstream to a point near Jacksons, then across to Lake Brunner for a 60km lake race, and then over to the Waimakariri River. The final leg will start near 'the Mount White bridge and boats will follow the Waimakariri River to the sea. They will finish by sailing along the coast to the Sumner Estuary. “The logistics are considerable,” said Graham Veitch. “We will have three camera crews, one in a boat making the whole trip, anotheronthe ground, and a third in a helicopter. “We will make thorough surveys of the whole course. We have to make absolutely certain, for example, exactly where all electricity and telephone lines are, because we will be flying quite low and wires and helicopters don’t exactly mix.” He said camera crews would have to work fast to get the shots they wanted as the jet boats would often be travelling at about 70 miles an hour. However, boats started at one-minute intervals, and this would provide some leeway. The helicopter would double as a rescue craft should any of the boat crews have an accident causing injury. The commentator for the documentary will be Brendan Telfer, at present covering swimming events at the Montreal Olympics. Graham Veitch, who produced “Beat the Clock”

and who has most recently been producing sports programmes in the South Island for TV2. has also directed "On the Mat” wrestling. He said the nine-man TV2 team which will cover the jet boat marathon will be working hard to produce an internationally saleable documentary. ‘‘At' nights we will be on the job too because there is likely to be plenty of action mending ooais, and making repairs, particularly in high country stretches where the water is very shallow indeed,” Veitch said. He is hoping that at the time the race is held the spring thaw will not have melted all the snow and ice, and there will be plenty of opportunity to shoot sne-t- bush and mountain scenery. The presiik... ’ the New Zealand Jet Boat Assocation (Dick Farrant) said although the event had been advertised in Canada, the United States, Mexico and Australia, he doubted whether there would be many overseas entries. The fact is that jet boat drivers in other countries have realised that New’ Zealanders have experience of difficult courses that is hard to match, and hence they are hard to beat. Total prize money is $lO,OOO, but the most an individual could win is $lOOO, and the costs of getting to New Zealand and then taking part would be considerably in excess of that.