Boat marathon leader pipped

Press, 22 September 1977, Page 32

Boat marathon leader pipped

John Heslop’s Union Travel Jet had few minutes trimmed from its big lead in the Citizen Watch jet boat marathon when the South Island section began yesterday with a race on the W a i a u River from Spotswood to Glenhope, reported the Press Association. Selwyn and Richmond Paynter, in Hornet 3, started a minute after Heslop, overhauled him about half-way on the course, and stayed about a minute in front to the end.

Heslop, who has Paul Kirk and Graeme Nairn crewing, has an over-all lead of 45 minutes.

Heslop rated yesterday’s conditions as the toughest so far in the 1000 km marathon.

The Greymouth reporter of “The Press” says that the low water level of the Taramakau River has forced the organisers of marathon to

shorten that river stage by 12km. The contestants will tackle the Grey River and Taramakau River today and tomorrow. The race controller (Mr J, Stanley) said the low water levels on the West Coast would put a premium on skill rather than speed, which had counted in tha North Island stages. Results (after five legs);— Champion Spark Plug class (open): Union Travel Jet (J. Heslop, Christchurch), 1; Hornet 111 (S. Paynter, Christchurch), 2; Golden Key Furniture (H. Smith, Christchurch), 3. Odlin class: Streaker (W, Meredith, Christchurch), 1; Hunt's Homes (B. Hunt, Tauranaga), 2; Deep Purple (M, Yardley, Bay of Plenty), 3. Export class: Eagle Rock (R. Harrison, Christchurch), 1; Beautiful Noise (H. McLachlan, Rotorua), 2; Oakland Jet <B. Roberts, Whakatane), 3. C.R.C. class: Cee Jay (C. Hannah, Christchurch), 1; Rapid Hunter (D. Russell, Christchurch), 2; Orrinoco II (R. Hardy, Palmerston North), 3.