O.K. title open to youth

Press, 14 December 1977, Page 52

O.K. title open to youth

by

JOHN COFFEY

The emphasis will be very much on youth when the 1978 New Zealand O.K. dinghy yachting championship begins’ at Lyttelton on Januiry 13. Peter Lester (Canterbury), Barry Thom (Auckland) and; Sraeme Woodroffe (Auckland) — who were first, second and fourth, respectively, in the world contest on the Hauraki Gulf in February — have moved on to ither classes. The way is now clear for the many very promising helmsmen to dispute supremacy in this ven' competitive monotype division. There will be plenty of incentive, for success would lead to a position in the flew Zealand squad to sail in the next world series in !he Netherlands later in the fear. “It is not yet known how many competitors will be going to Holland," .he secretary of the Canterbury O.K. owners’ association (Mr

John Davey) said yesterday. “Much will depend on what sponsorship is available and how many yachtsmen are prepared to pay their own expenses.” There is a proud tradition to be followed. All of the previous title-holders, the late Clive Roberts (Auckland), Woodroffe, Kjell Axerot (Sweden), Lester and Thom, have been winners or runners-up at world championship level. It would be too much to expect the 1978 title-holder to immediately threaten the accomplished Scandinavians and Europeans. Of the next 10 New Zealanders at the 1977 world event, nine were still eligible for the junior prize. The exception was Garry Lock, aged 24, who was the best-performed after the top trio, finishing tenth over ail with a sixth and a third included in his placings. Lock is certainly no novice — he gained line honours in a heat of the 1975 world contest in Finland and twice

was fourth in interDominion competition. Rex Lamb, another Aucklander, has since exceeded the junior age limit. He was rather disappointing when only twenty-second in world company, somewhat tarnishing his record of having been the 1976 interDominion champion and previous placings of second and third in New Zealand championships. They, and John Moyes — who dropped from fourth in the national series to thirtyfirst in the world event (fifteenth of the New Zealanders) in February — will spearhead a powerful 14boat Auckland contingent. Moyes has not always realised his potential in major races, but is reported to be in outstanding form this summer. The emerging band of juniors in the world contest were led by Richard Dodson (Auckland) in fifteenth position, two in front of David Barnes (Wellington). Phil Ash (Wellington), Guy Man-

nering (Napier), Peter Kempkers (Canterbury), Tom Dodson (Auckland), Trevor Cox (Auckland) and Leith Armit (Auckland) were all in the top half of the fleet.

All had their memorable moments against the most proficient of the overseas skippers, with Kempkers surpassing all expectations b’„ claiming a fourth placing in one heat. He has since sailed regularly in the Laser class, but is regarded as a probable starter. Of the others, only Cox has not yet entered, while Peter Maynard (Canterbury) is likely to improve markedly on his forty-third from the world championship. He has been in dominant form in domestic yachting in the province.

Much interest will centre on the display of the seasoned John Douglas (Auckland), who was one of Roberts’s keenest rivals in the mid-sixties and was third when the national series was last held at Lyttelton, in 1975.